A meeting in Sana'a province on Sunday focused on developing contract farming and empowering agricultural associations to increase agricultural output.

The meeting, attended by key officials and heads of cooperative associations, addressed strategies for improving contract farming within the province. Discussions centered on coordinating farmer engagement, pursuing state-level self-sufficiency, and establishing well-equipped agricultural product collection centers.

Participants emphasized the potential of associations at the local level and the need for institutional development, including training contract farming coordinators.

Challenges such as the shortage of agricultural inputs were also addressed, highlighting the necessity for associations and official bodies to ensure adequate supply. The meeting also stressed improving product quality through field schools and supporting water initiatives.

The importance of having trained contract farming coordinators at various levels was underscored, along with the need for producing both basic and non-basic crops and developing future contract farming plans. Collaboration between associations and input traders was also prioritized.

Abdullah al-Marwani, head of the governorate's development team, urged associations to play a vital role in achieving an agricultural renaissance. He reiterated the local authority's commitment to supporting agricultural associations and enhancing food crop production for self-sufficiency and food security.

Saddam al-Fasih, a member of the development team, emphasized the need for unified efforts to boost agriculture, highlighting the governorate's favorable climatic and environmental conditions for year-round crop cultivation. He called for supporting agricultural associations to advance the sector and achieve food security goals.

Ali al-Qairi, Director of the Agriculture Sector, outlined efforts to provide improved seeds through loans and implement agricultural projects supporting initiatives and production.

He also detailed training activities funded by the Executive Unit for the Management of Agricultural Projects and Initiatives Financing, covering grain, fruit, vegetable, and livestock production, field school demonstrations, and safe pesticide use.

Source - https://www.saba.ye