Project Summery

The rainfed terraces of Yemen are major producers of the country’s food crops, but the returns to farmers are low. Low farm income has contributed to a rural exodus, particularly by men, to seek other employment, and consequently to a decline in the maintenance and productivity of terraced lands. Attempts to encourage farmers to remain on the land have been successful only where irrigation water is available and cash crops can be grown.

The main objectives are to increase farmers’ income through cash crop production in greenhouses, and to increase water use efficiency, thereby enhancing the returns to farming, promoting the maintenance of terraced lands, and conserving the environment and natural resources. This contributes directly to rural development and food security, which are also key objectives of Yemeni government policy.

1.      Community and market surveys

1.1.   Establishment of coordination and implementation mechanisms, and benchmark studies of the  present situation in the targeted areas and of selected pilot farmers

·        Consultations with Ministry of Agriculture, researchers, NGOs and other potential partners

·        Review of all available information

·        Preliminary review of potential target sites

·        Discussions with farming communities and selected farmers in the target area

1.2.   Market study and database development

·        Data collection and processing

·        Development of database for greenhouse crops available in the market year-round

 2.    Technology Transfer & Adoption

2.1.   Establish greenhouse facilities in farmers’ sites

·        Prepare sites at the selected farms

·        Order materials and erect greenhouses: 18 in the first year, 17 in the second year

·        Greenhouse preparation including cover, irrigation system, planting beds etc

2.2.   Farmer field school to introduce the technology, providing technical backstopping, advice and follow up with farmers

2.3.   Workshops, field days & meetings

·        Farmer-to-farmer field visits

·        Two field visits per year will be organized for farmers to visit selected farmers’ sites and discuss problems and results

·        Mid- and end-of-season workshop with farmers to review problems and constraints, study the results and obtain feedback. Farmers from the surrounding communities will be invited.

3.    Socio-economic assessments

To monitor progress against baseline indicators, farmers’ perceptions and potential constraints to wider adoption of the technology.

4.    Capacity Building and Training

·        Training the trainers (extensionists, agric. engineers, technicians)

·        On-the-job training for farmers

·        Production of training manuals and technical notes in the local language: Greenhouse installation and set-up; Irrigation and fertigation for greenhouse crops; Crop production under plastic house; Integrated production and protection management (IPPM)  

·         At least 35 productive greenhouse enterprises established with participating farmers.

·         Additional income for farmers generated from the cultivation of cash crops

·         Increased employment opportunities within the rural population of Taez

·         Intensive production from terrace lands through the adoption new techniques of cultivation and irrigation for rational use of resources

·         Improved management and maintenance of terraces

·         Continuous year-round supply of fresh vegetables in local markets

·         Over 70 farmers, researchers, extension agents and technicians trained in greenhouse installation and management.

·         Twenty additional farmers adopt greenhouse technology in their own fields

·         Government and local agencies recognize the economic value of the technology and provide more support.

Project Steering Committee (SC)

The project is governed by Steering Committee consisting of representatives from: 

·         ICARDA

·         French Embassy

·         Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MIC)

·         Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MAI)

·         Agriculture Research & Extension Authority (AREA)

·         Project Manager

·         National Coordinator

The Steering Committee will review, amend and approve annual work plans and budgets.  It will invite representatives of other stakeholders to participate, as needed. ICARDA will organize the Committee meetings in collaboration with local partners.

Project Manager: responsible for logistics, administration, and liaison with national programs and ICARDA headquarters. Also responsible for preparing bi-annual progress reports and financial reports to be submitted to the Steering Committee.

National Coordinator: a part-time scientist reporting to the Project Manager. Main responsibilities: day to day management of project activities and implementation teams at different sites; and preparation of monthly progress reports.

Project Implementation Team: a group of full time researchers, extension agents and technicians employed by AREA. The three teams have received intensive training which will allow them to act as local trainers. Each team has been assigned a number of pilot farm sites, and is responsible for implementation, weekly follow-up and reporting.

Project Implementation Teams