Yemen’s agricultural production increased by 7.1 percent in 2001 compared to a six percent rise in 2000. Fruit production increased by 7.3 percent, vegetables by 3.7 percent and cereals by 4.2 percent, reported Ath-thawra .
The increase was attributed by the paper to policies implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation last year, aiming to reduce rural poverty. The Ministry granted a total of 165 million Yemeni rials ($937,000) to farmers and rural families as part of the national plan.
Yemen exported over 63 tons of foodstuffs in the first quarter of 2002. The majority of the produce was exported to the United Kingdom, the Gulf States and Djibouti. Included in the shipments were honey, coffee, vegetables and nuts.
As one of one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, Yemen has embarked on an International Monetary Fund (IMF)-supported structural adjustment program designed to modernize and streamline the economy, which has led to foreign debt relief and restructuring. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
