Organic Yemen Builds Partnerships In Al-Mukalla And Al-Mahara

Contract Signing With Ministry of Agriculture office in al-Mahara

Organic Yemen (OY) has embarked on two new partnerships with agricultural institutes of the prominent eastern regions of al-Mukalla and Mahara. These are crucial agricultural regions that have played a significant role in Yemen's economy, culture, and history. With this development, OY aims to partner with the institutes to study new Yemen oilseeds and dye crops.

If the venture turns out to be successful, OY will work with local partners to develop commercial farms and export the resulting products via its high-end Yuri & Terra brand.  In addition, OY will assist these agricultural regions with the setup of agricultural data sensors and foster crop research and training, so that they can benefit from the latest agriculture technologies.

Organic Yemen Seals Partnerships In Two Major Agriculture Regions

The two regions, al-Mukalla and Mahara, have great agricultural, cultural, and historical significance.

Mukalla Is Located On The Coastal Strip And Overlooks The Arabian Sea

• High temperatures and low rainfall.

• Dates, tobacco, cotton, henna, mango, and papaya are the major crops grown on the coast of Hadhramaut in Mukalla.

• Historically, Mukalla was a fishing settlement. For instance, the famous British traveler Freya Stark has recorded her experiences of staying in Mukalla in her book ‘The Southern Gates of Arabia.’

In al-Mukalla, OY partnered with the Agriculture Research and Extension Authority (AREA).  Dr. Amjad Baquiqu, General Manager of AREA signed the MoU, while Mr. Saleh Bahah and Ms. Nadia Abdalrab will be responsible for overseeing the project.

Organic Yemen Team Meeting With al-Mukalla Partners

Al-Mahra Is Located In The Southern Part Of The Arabian Peninsula.

• Historically, Al-Mahra was ruled by the Mahra Sultanate, which later on went on to become a British protectorate.

• Agriculture is concentrated in Wadi Al-Jaz, Huswain, and Qishn

• The major crops are sorghum, millet, vegetable crops, date fruits, lemons, bananas, and tobacco.

In Mahara, OY partnered with the local office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, led by Eng. Saeed Alqumiri.  Overseeing the project will be Eng. Mohammed Rubihan and Eng. Adel Muthana.

Organic Yemen Team Meeting with al-Mahara Partners

Currently, Organic Yemen is pursuing intense research concerning Yemen oilseeds and dye crops. Historically, Yemen has grown dye crops like Indigo and Flemingia grahamiana. Research shows that the natural dye market will generate a whopping revenue of $5 billion by 2024.

Some benefits of exporting high-end crops for investors and the country are:

• Firstly, there is a significant demand for high-end crops in the export market.

• Secondly, high-end crops like Yemen oilseeds are easy to grow even in low rainfall conditions.

• Thirdly, high-end crops are easy to cultivate along with regular cereal crops.

Partnership For New Yemen Export Crop Development

As can be seen from the above chart, Yemen’s exports have greatly declined over the past decade, while its imports have dramatically increased.  Of its exports, only a small amount are food products, despite Yemen’s rich history of producing high-quality products.  At the same time, imports of food are enormous.  This situation is not self-sustaining because Yemen must pay large sums to import needed foods, while only earning small amounts in export income.

Organic Yemen’s collaboration in al-Mukalla and Mahara builds on existing partnerships the company has in ‘Ibb and Seiyun.  The goal is to create a win-win for all the stakeholders involved:

For Organic Yemen’s investors:

·      The new crop feasibility studies, backed by hard data, prove the crops will flourish in a specific area.  This in turn lowers the risk to the investor because they can be more confident the farms will be successful.

·      It also allows OY to offer more diversification to its investors.  Instead of investing in one large farm in one area, which could be vulnerable to insects, disease or instability, an investor can have many, smaller farms in many different areas.

For Yemeni farmers:

·      The partnership with respected local government agriculture specialists gives the farmer confidence that these new crops will actually succeed in his region.  He is able to visit a model farm, see and touch the plant, and really understand it.

·      The crops are high-value, and have a guaranteed buyer, as Organic Yemen can use them in existing products sold internationally via its Yuri & Terra brand.

·      Farmers can therefore plant a bigger variety of crops, giving them safety if one crop fails for whatever reason.  They can also earn more money from exporting their products.

For the Partners and Yemen:

·      The agriculture institutes get to experiment with new crops that already have an international market, and their studies are funded by Organic Yemen’s investors.

·      They get to use modern equipment and technologies, such as weather stations, data processing software and precision agriculture software.

·      Yemen increases its exports and decreases its imports by producing more crops locally.

Organic Yemen Building Capacity And Investor Returns

OY continues to successfully tread the path of building rock-solid partnerships across Yemen. Moreover, its unique approach to crop development has many takers from governmental, non-governmental, and private organizations.

OY’s policies are stakeholder friendly and inclusive in nature:

• There is an emphasis on the “Whole Yemen” approach. For example, every nook and corner will receive the benefit of agricultural partnerships.

• OY believes in harnessing the expertise of its local partners. Hence, the capacity building of local partners will make the collaboration more fruitful and enhance the Yemen value chain.

• OY offers more diversification options for small farmers to produce oilseeds and Yemen dye crops. With versatile options, farmers can cultivate crops that have a good market and gives them a better return on investment. Hence, farmers can be more productive and earn a sustainable income.

• Further, OY looks to foster close relationships with impact investors and international aid organizations. With this, OY aims to expand its footprint in the Yemen value chain.