Towards the restoration of the farming productive capacities of households, the improvement of practices and a mitigation of the impact of the rise in the prices of foodstuff
- Funding: EuropeAid (European Commission)
- Global budget: 1 258 K€
- Duration: 25 months (January 2010 – December 2011)
The valley of Tareem was ravaged by an exceptional rise of the water level during the October 2008 floods. Several villages were destroyed, particularly in Sah valley. During the first intervention in this second valley, Triangle G H helped restore cultivated lands. Towards the end of 2009, thanks to funding from the European Commission and a partnership with the local organisation, Wadi Hadramout Development Project (WHADP), Triangle G H launched a programme developing global agricultural production in Tareem valley. This both supported and accompanied reconstruction initiatives already launched by local actors. The programme’s objectives are described below.
- Restore access to agricultural land
Owing to the amount of uprooted date palms and the piles of rubble and stones borne by the flood, it was essential to start by clearing and levelling the land. Thus, before launching agricultural activities, the loaders and trucks from a private firm contracted by Triangle G H, cleared, levelled and protected from erosion (protection of gabion banks) 732 hectares of land.
- Restore access to irrigation water
Traditional Hadramout irrigation structures (small dams, canals, deviations) are used in most of the region’s valleys. Through such systems, part of the wadi waters can be directed to agricultural lands that are not near rivers. Floods destroyed a major part of these infrastructures, preventing control or deviation of water towards agricultural areas. Triangle G H worked with the WHADP engineers and villages involved to identify and size the infrastructures to rebuild or repair. Extensive works were carried out in over fifteen sites, allowing 1984 farming families to benefit anew from access to water and irrigating 2395 hectares.
- Improvement of production capacities
To improve the farming produce and raise production capacity, a variety of seeds selected specifically for the region will be distributed to the poorest families in Tareem and Sah valleys. 1132 families shall benefit from these distributions and cultivate approximately 1260 hectares.
- Improvement of natural resources management
Water resources, fairly rare in Yemen, are deteriorating. Some regions are already threatened in the medium term. Saving water and promoting good practices for water usage are consequently one of the primordial challenges for Yemen’s development, especially within the agricultural sector.
This is why Triangle G H offers farmers in the region equipment and training dedicated to saving water for irrigation of lands devoid of canals. Such lands are irrigated via wells equipped with electric pumps. 240 farmers will be trained in “responsible irrigation techniques”. 15ha will be equipped with drop-to-drop systems, an experimental initiative.
