Page 50 - AA 2022 YEAR BOOK

Yemen

NEW AND REFURBISHED FISHERY SECTOR FACILITIES BOOST

COASTAL LIVELIHOODS IN YEMEN

The Food and Agriculture Organization
of United Nations (FAO), and authorities Production (tonnes) of some agricultural commodities in Yemen (2019-2020)
in the coastal district of Al Mokha in Taiz Item Value Flag Value Flag
governorate, finished construction on Almonds, with shell 11340 11477 Im
a new fishery landing site equipped by Apples 21946 23650 Im
FAO with support from the King Salman Apricots 1447 Im 1445 Im
Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre Bananas 116300 117786 Im
(KSrelief) under the project “Emergency Barley 26933 21000 *
agricultural livelihoods support to the Broad beans, horse beans, dry 5444 5774 Im
most vulnerable households in Yemen.” Cabbages and other brassicas 8189 Im 8179 Im
This intervention will improve the Carrots and turnips 15112 15372 Im
livelihoods of more than 60 000 Yemenis Chick peas 38541 41551 Im
for whom the fishery sector is their main Chillies and peppers, green 15373 15684 Im
source of income. The two landing sites, Cucumbers and gherkins 14953 Im 14555 Im
located in the coastal districts of Dhubab Dates 64375 69590 Im
and Al Mokha, will help alleviate the Eggplants (aubergines) 4906 Im 4783 Im
suffering of fisher folk who have endured Figs 5553 Im 5460 Im
a shrinking profit margin due to conflict, Garlic 3296 Im 3289 Im
lack of infrastructure and the COVID-19 Grapes 134187 138675 Im
pandemic. Previously fishers in the area Lemons and limes 25668 26167 Im
had to travel long distances to reach Lentils 7115 7237 Im
remote landing sites to fish and sell their Lettuce and chicory 1436 Im 1440 Im
catch. These structures enable them to Maize 48290 40000 *
launch and return from safe landing sites Millet 50393 36000 *
that are closer to their homes. Okra 22814 21653 Im
Further, fishers need a suitable, stable, Onions, dry 222545 238608 Im
well-lit area from which to process and Oranges 119084 127209 Im
sell their fish products – protecting Papayas 24502 25099 Im
them from spoilage or contamination Peaches and nectarines 11734 14376 Im
through solar powered-cold storage. The Potatoes 233051 233201 Im
improved cold chain aims at boosting Pulses nes 13936 Im 13856 Im
the level of production and income of Pumpkins, squash and gourds 10431 10865 Im
fishers, while contributing to reduced Sesame seed 21639 22197 Im
high rates of malnutrition, especially Sorghum 230766 249636 Im
among children, and pregnant or Tomatoes 103599 Im 94399 Im
lactating women in targeted coastal Vegetables, fresh nes 43414 41351 Im
areas. Watermelons 141283 143282 Im
Wheat 100332 100860 Im
“While this project will help * : UNOFFICIAL FIGURE | IM: FAO DATA BASED ON IMPUTATION METHODOLOGY
support fisherfolk, the sector’s needs SOURCE: FAO STATISTICAL DIVISION 2021
considerable and sustained investment
to revitalise the fisheries value chain,” for themselves. Fishing infrastructure in The fisheries sector, including
said Hussein Gadain, FAO Representative rural coastal areas, where 500 000 people fisheries and fish markets, plays a
to Yemen. “FAO calls for increased rely on it for securing food and income critical role in Yemen’s food security. The
support to restore remaining fisheries through the fishery sector, is being sector provides food, livelihoods and
infrastructure to boost the sector’s devastated due to ongoing conflict,” said sustained income, especially for the most
productivity, and thanks KSrelief for their Andre Arriaza, Head of Operations for vulnerable fishers, as well as providing
consistent and generous funding to the FAO Yemen. essential nutrients. In Yemen, fisheries
sector.” “Immediate action is needed more than is the third most important agricultural
“The crisis in Yemen is now in its sixth ever to keep Yemen’s fishing communities subsector, contributing up to 3 percent
year, while thousands of vulnerable from sliding into catastrophic conditions of the country’s gross domestic product
before the conflict.
households live in miserable conditions aggravated by conflict and the COVID 19
without livelihoods, unable to provide pandemic,” added Arriaza.
48 Arab Agriculture 2022