Yemen, WB discuss developing agricultural projects

Yemen and World Bank (WB) discussed here on Thursday the possibility of developing the agricultural projects that the WB contributes to fund, like the projects of rain-fed agriculture and livestock, and the national irrigation program. This came during a meeting gathered Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Farid Mujawar and WB director of water and agriculture sector in the Middle East and North Africa. They also reviewed the activities of the agricultural sector in Yemen, which is an essential income resource for most families, especially in rural areas, and its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provision of job opportunities as well. The meeting also touched on the probability of setting up new projects and ensuring the benefit of the qualified personnel working in projects that will be expired soon in the new projects such as a food security program which will be initiated in the coming days after tying up the relevant draft document. The Minister reviewed the activities carried out by the ministry aiming to develop the agricultural sector and increase the agricultural productivity in order to improve the farmers' living conditions, especially in rural areas, as well as the ministry interventions in the use of modern technology of rainwater harvesting tanks and modern irrigation systems to help farmers in the target areas. Mujawar said that he is looking forward to the WB's aid to assist the ministry's efforts to circulate the use of such technologies widely in the country. He called on the Bank to motivate donors to speed up the process of financing the implementation of projects in Yemen, to help improve the economic conditions. The WB official expressed the Bank's willingness to support interventions in the agricultural development and any relevant efforts as well. He stressed his commitment to coordinate with other donors to rally funds and help the Yemeni government to achieve the stability and development paths in the country.