There are about 16 million hectares classified as range lands and 4.2
million hectares as woodland. Based on the statistical book of 1995, it
has been estimated that 82% of the cultivated area is utilized for cereal
production, grain legumes and forage crops. Vegetables, and fruits covers
only 12%, while the cash crops planted in 6% of total area. According to
1994 census, the total population of the country is estimated as 15.8 million,
with annual growth rate 3.7 percent and a population density of 28/km².
Water Resources is rainfall, Wadi Flood-water and Underground water
Agriculture is still largely subsistence oriented and heavily dependent on weather conditions. Effect of climate and other environmental factors resulted in diversity and heterogeneity of the vegetative cover structure and density. This led to diversity of natural vegetation which can be classified according to topography to six zones (coastal, southern, northern, western, highland and hadramout plateaux ranglands). There is a great variation in the annual rainfall. Coastal area is characterized by 50-100 mm while the high lands are more favourable, they have 400-1000 mm. However, the coastal-area contributes to the total agricultural production of the country by approximately 39%. It has been reported that rainfed agriculture was decreased by 40%. Consequently, digging of wells has been increased in Yemen reaching up to 30,000 wells, most of these waching up to 30,000 wells, most of these wells are used for irrigation.
Finally, Agricultural sector plays an important role in the country
economy, it contributes by 20% of the national income. Due to the agricultural
changes there is still shortage in the agricultural product to meet the
population needs.
Viticulture is the most important crop in Yemen and it,s considered as oldest and famous in the Near / Middle East countries. High variation was observed for this crop. More then 20 different forms or varieties were distinguished belonging to the white, black and Asemi grape. These all forms were used for table and resins.
Fruits Area (HA) and Production (MT) in Yemen 1995:
| Crops | Area | Production |
| Grape | 21106 | 150563 |
| Dates | 18634 | 23188 |
| Banana | 9069 | 77370 |
| Papaya | 3516 | 57065 |
| Mango | 2442 | |
| Papaya | 3516 | 57065 |
| Mango | 2442 | 9821 |
| Apricot | 3538 | 6631 |
| Orange | 10101 | 39677 |
| Lemon | 906 | 6669 |
| Mandarin | 1613 | 9054 |
| Peach | 892 | 3928 |
| Quince | 90 | 408 |
| Pomegrand | 924 | 7110 |
| Figs | 374 | 2874 |
| Apple | 287 | 1722 |
| Guava | 626 | 1843 |
| Other | 1108 | 4237 |
| Total | 74862 | 402160 |
Vegetables Area (HA) and production (MT) in Yemen 1995 :
| Crops | Area | Production |
| Potatoes | 13601 | 184542 |
| Tomatoes | 12929 | 199204 |
| Watermelon | 7408 | 93605 |
| Onion | 4418 | 61848 | 13601 | 184542 |
| Tomatoes | 12929 | 199204 |
| Watermelon | 7408 | 93605 |
| Onion | 4418 | 61848 |
| Sweet melon | 2897 | 31568 |
| Okra | 2624 | 16228 |
| Cucumber | 522 | 10683 |
| Carrots | 735 | 6844 |
| Courrat | 728 | 5131 |
| Parsley | 182 | 283 |
| Beans | 1735 | 9783 |
| Jaws mallow | 541 | 3279 |
| Squash | 544 | 4963 |
| Capsicum | 1498 | 7707 |
| Eggplant | 373 | 3085 |
| Other. Veg. | 2787 | 30047 |
| Total | 53522 | 668800 |
Most of those wild relatives are utilized as rootstock. There are also wild relatives of other fruits like wild oil trees such as olives (Olea crysophylla) and some other species of high interest as industrials or stimulants including Coffea arabica and Qata edulis.
Wild progenitors of ornamental species such as Anemone, Colchicum, Arum, Arabian jasmine, Aloe spp. Agave spp. Apipbyllum sp.
The aromatic and medicinal plants in the wild habitat such as Lawsonia inermis, Artimisia sp., Mentha sp., Ocimum sp., Thymus vulgaris, Aloe vera, Agave sisalona, Crocus sativus, coriandrum sativum, Jasminum sambac, and Foeniculum vulgare. Unfortunately their numbers are rapidly decreasing as a result of the continuous developmental activities, the use of the continuous developmental activities, the use of herbicides and grazing, and the inconsiderate exploitation. Most of the species used as medicinal or aromatic species are subject of extinction mainly because of man activity in the wild..
More then 15 expeditions were carried out in different parts of the country, Collection is made up of the nearly 750 samples representing several crops. However, most of the accessions left in the country were subject to loss due to poor conservation facilities. Since the establishment of plant genetic ressources unit in Alkod and Dhamar, all materials collected have been well conserved and the existing collection size is about 2.500 samples from all crops (cereals, legumes, vegetable, and fruit). In Yemen in an attempt to establish exsitu conservation in a manageable way under the collaborative regional programme of IPGRI/WANANET, several clones of landraces of figs, greeb, and pomegrranate were planted in the field genebank at the several regional stations and in the faculty of Agriculture at Sanaa University.
Yemen is rich in highly variable domesticated crops as well as landraces with unique characteristics. The main horticulture cultivated crops (Tomato, Brassica, potato, onion, corriander, garlic, okra,......................), stimulant crops (coffee, Tobacco, Qat), whereas the main popular fruits are grapes, citrus, dates, bananas, apples, apricots peaches, pears, plums, almonds, pomegracots peaches, pears, plums, almonds, pomegranates, mangoes, papayas, and guavas.
Landraces have persisted insitu because of the farming systems. In fact, landraces and local varieties have been conserved in a dynamic way by farmers since they started cultivation of crops. By growing a mixture of diversified local materials, farmers were always able to select varieties adapted to local environmental conditions.
The adoption of uniform new crops cultivars, nitrogenous fertilizer and increasing mechanization in agriculture have reduced the area of local crop production and resulted in the disappearing of traditional diversity based farming systems. Landraces can still be found in isolated and marginal areas, sush as mountains, oases, specific areas and islands were local and traditional cultivars are still grown. The important factors that cause partial loss of landraces in Yemen are expanding cultivation of Qat (Qata edulis) seasonal flood, distruction, drought, terraces deterioration, and disertification, .....
Most of the collection has been identified and small part has been evaluated by the AREA, FOA staff or in cooperation with IPGRI.
Evaluation parameters are mostly agronomic reading so far, have not had any impact on the applied plant breeding work yet. Therefor AREA and Universities reviewing its policies on evaluation and trying to integrate there material in breeding.
Evaluation of fruit collection ar breeding.
Evaluation of fruit collection are conducted in parallel to other research
and breeding programmes (grapes, quince, pears, apples, apricots and pomegranates)
.
For vegetatively propagated crops and perennials, field genebanks are used to conserve the collections. Cold rooms are kept at 0 and - 18 °C for medium term and long term storage, also there are facilities for temporary storage, with rooms working at 4°C.
Types and progress of present horticultural research program Agricultural research and extention is dated back to 1955, when the Elkod experiment station was set up in a governorate near Aden.
In 1980 research was implanted at different stations (El kod and Seyiun at wadi Hadramaut) covered field crop, vegetables and fruit, and some limited livestock research.
In the north of Yemen , agricultural research started in a fragment and highly uncoordinated manner. The first research activities were introduced in 1970 through FAO/UNDP formulated projects in Ibb, Taiz, and Wadi Zabid areas. Then several other donors intervenedWadi Zabid areas. Then several other donors intervened and more project with agricultural research components have been established :
- The US assisted horticulture project (HITS)
- The Range and Livestock Improvement Project (RLIP) at Dhamar with
Netherlands assestance.
- The Risaba project with British assistance, crop and forestry research
was carried out
- The German assisted plant protection project at Sana,a and Al-Baun
- The Netherlands assisted potato seed production project and Rada,
a Rural development project, have been involved in same crop research.
-The Chines aid at Al Batana area have been tested some cereal and
fruit tree species.
- The University of Sana,a and Aden, and agricultural schools at Ibb
and Surdud also pursued some limited research activities.
- In late 1983 Agricultural Research Authority (ARA) was established
at Taiz and several stations .
- In 1990 the country was unified and the establishment of the Agricultural
Research and Extention Authority was made responsible for carrying out
research and extensions activities all over the country through a network
of seven regional stations and headquarters.
Regional research stations are located in each of main agricultural zones:
º Northern costal lowlands (Thihama)
º Southern uplands (Sana,a)
º Central high lands (Dhamar)
º Eastern region (Mareb)
º Northern high lands (Taiztern region (Mareb)
º Northern high lands (Taiz)
º Southern coastal low land and midlands.
º Wadi hadramowt station
The previous work has probably rightly concentrated on agricultural practices including fertilizers, pesticides, and screening of varieties.
The country is also facing problems of natural resources degradation. Rapid loss of groundwater, soil erosion, soil salinization, soil fertility depletion, deforestation, and loss of indigenous crop, and farming practices in marginal.
In 1995 cultivated area was estimated at 1.1 M. ha. Of which same 300.000
ha irrigated. Horticultural area is about 128.384 ha = 12% of total area.
| Crops | Area (ha) | Area (%) | production (tons) |
| vegetable | 53.522 | 4.9 B> | |
| vegetable | 53.522 | 4.9 | 668.800 |
| viticulture | 21.103 | 21 | 50.563 |
| fruit | 53.759 | 52 | 51.597 |
| Total | 128.384 | --- | ------ |
º search for high yielding, good quality varieties
º determination of the most suitable season for growing the crop
with determination of the ideal cultural practices.
º identification of diseases and methods of control
º use of chemical fertilizer and determination of optimum doses.
Several varieties and agricultural practices were recommended :
1. potato (19 varieties .
2. onion ( 8 varieties ,
3. tomato (21 varieties
4. carrot (9 varieties
5. okra (6 varieties)
6. water melon (5 varieties)
7. cucumber (6 varieties)
8. Sweet melon (4 varieties)
9. squash (7 varieties)
10. cabbage 8 varieties)
11. cauliflower (5 varieties)
12. Hot pepper (5 varieties)
13. sweet pepper (2 varieties)
14. Egg plant (4 varieties)
15. Radish (4 varieties)
16. lettuce (2 varieties)
17. garlic (1 variety)
18. spinach (1 variety)
Objectives of research in fruit:
º introducti)
17. garlic (1 variety)
18. spinach (1 variety)
Objectives of research in fruit:
º introduction of better varieties
º improvement of spacing and pruning practices
º introduction of modern handling and ripening techniques.
º surveyed cultivated varieties in the country
º disease and pest resistance
º establish rootstock, stading cultural treatments
º improvement of post harvest handling techniques.
Promissing and local fruit varieties and cultivars in Yemen:
1. Banana: 2 varieties
2. Date palms: 3 varieties
3. Grapes: 9 varieties for table and 3 for raisins.
4. Guava: 2 varieties
5. Mango: 5 varieties
6. Papaya: 4 varieties
7. Apples : 3 varieties
8. Peaches: 6 varieties
9. Nectarines: 2 varieties
10. Plums: 2 varieties
11. Orange: 5 varieties
12. Lemon: 5 varieties
13. Grapefruit: 2 varieties
14. Mandarin: 2 varieties
15. Almond: 2 varieties
16. Apricot: 1 variety
17. Quince: 2 varieties
18. Walnut: 2 varieties
Dates. Unlike many Gulf countries, there appears to be no preponderance of date palm varieties in Yemen. Some of the named date palm varieties at present in cultivation are given below. Early varieties start turning to "Rutab " stage during the second half of April. The harvest tapers off in the month of July where `Taal" a late ripening variety comes into the market.
The studies on the local varieties have allowedto the market.
The studies on the local varieties have allowed to identify a very interesting material. Not all of them have the possibility to be utilised, but they merit a rather consideration than it was done in the past. Often cultivars were introduced without considering the local varieties that are selected for long time and suitable for Yemeni environment. They could be also used by seedling rootstocks for imported cultivars, but in some cases incompatibility was seen when they grafted themselves. These local varieties used as rootstocks for peach and almond or cultivars if in normal cultural condition will show good performance.
The studies of the improvement of temperate fruit was started in 1983 at CHRDP, in 1984 at HITS and in 1987 at ARA.
In the first, two project lowchilling cultivars of apple, peach, plum were introduced, then according to the appropriate chilling units accumulated during the winter, mid-chilling apple and cherry was imported.
At ARA several mid chilling cultivars of peaches, apricot, cherries, apples and pears were imported with the purpose to extend the harvesting season.
The results of the projects mentioned have shown that in some species (peach and apple) the imported cultivars, mainly lowchilling, could satisfy the farmers for the yield and the consumer for quality if some cultural practices were introduced as routine management (introduction of pollinator, thinning etc..).
Regarding the pollinator, thinning etc..).
Regarding the suitability of the cultivars it is necessary to distinguish the areas:
- Central highlands has good chances of cropping lowchilling apple,Peach cultivars have shown sensitivity to frost. Local varieties of peach could overcome that constrain due to late blossom.
- North Highlands seem to be suitable for the low-chilling cultivars of apple and peach only.
Concerning the improved cultivars of apricot, cherries and pear the studies are continuing, but it is too early to spread information and to develop early enthusiasm.
The research continue for the following aims :
- set up verification trails of apple, peach in the Central and Southern
Highlands area
- test the potentiality of the local varieties in experimental orchard
located in several area;
- select from the local material lines of germplasm for rootstocks
resistant to drought and high pH.;
- study other rootstocks for peach and apple cultivars resistant to
calcium and high pH.;
- start the survey of bioclimatology in order to evaluate the chilling
requirement of the temperate fruit in Yemen and to arrange the proper action
to break the endo-dormancy of the mid-chilling cultivars.
Research have been conducted also in cooperation with several projects and national institutes, as:
- Horticulture Improvment and Training sub project (HITS), is a program sponsored by the Agency forg sub project (HITS), is a program sponsored by the Agency for International Development and Implemented under contract NE-C- 1698, with the consortium for International development, carried out by Callfornia State Polytechnic University (POMONA) 1984-1986. Several introuced varieties and locals were evaluated:
1)Peaches: 16 varieties
2)Nectarines:2 varieties
3)Plums:7 varieties
4)Apricots:7 varieties
5)Cherries:3 varieties
6)Apples:19 varieties
7)Pears:1 varieties
8)Quince:1 varieties
selected varieties were used for rootstock produced .
- Central Highlands Rural Development Project (CHRDP), sponsored by the U..K. Overseas Development Administration and Minstry of Agriculture
-Y.A.R, till 1989. Research conducted on several species as:
1)Coffee:3varieties
2)Oranges: 2 varieties
3)Mandarins:3 varieties
4)Bananas:2 varieties.
- the national seed multiplication centre with 12 regional branches, the main activity of these centres is to produce seed for cereals, cotton, grain legumes, potatoes and anion. The project is receiving some British, German and Italian technical assistance.
- Potato seed multiplication project in Dhamar which produce 2.500 t,
of potato / year. This project started in 1977 with Dutproduce 2.500 t,
of potato / year. This project started in 1977 with Dutch assistance and
is still enjoying strong support from the Netherlands. The country is annually
importing large quantities of seed from different sources, mainly from
USA, Denmark, France, Holland. Table 3. Show the domestic and imported
improved seed in Yemen. in 1995. Large private farmers and an established
foreign seed company.
| Crops | Quantity (Kg) | Price (US$) |
| Radish | 70 | 420 |
| Melon | 10.325 | 138.358 |
| Sweet melon | 3.558 | 35.270 |
| Onion | 7.591 | 144.008 |
| Okra | 1.220 | 7.887 |
| Tomatoes | 11812 | 318758 |
| hot Pepper | 180 | 5500 |
| sweet Pepper | 485 | 12388 |
| Squash | 4462 | 51228 |
| Cabbage | 1390 | 9330 |
| Cucumber | 1320 | 13166 |
| Eggplant | 200 | 3525 |
| Cauliflow/TD> | 1390 | 9330 |
| Cucumber | 1320 | 13166 |
| Eggplant | 200 | 3525 |
| Cauliflower | 500 | 14500 |
| Carrot | 10857 | 95197.7 |
| Potatoes | 32 | 31268 |
1) Many varieties imported are not improved
2) Imports are not based on local research finding by AREA.
3) There are no garantees given for seed germination and quality.
4) Proper storage facilities are not available.
| Seedling type | Area /ha | N° of nursery | N° of seedling |
| Deciduous | 36 | 9 | 110674 |
| Citrus | 33 | 6 | 42216 |
| Papaya | 20 | 4 | 26431 |
| Mango and guava | 17 | 3 | 32829 |
| Pomegranate | 32 | 1 | 5040 |
| Dates | 8 | 1 | ----- |
| Bananas | 2 | 1 | ----- |
| Coffee | 13>5040 | ||
| Dates | 8 | 1 | ----- |
| Bananas | 2 | 1 | ----- |
| Coffee | 13 | 8 | ----- |
| Ornamental | 11 | 4 | ----- |
| Total | 143 | 38 | 227190 |
Fruit tree seedling. in theory, are sold at cost and there has been
no regular monitoring of seedling survival rate, once planted. Most of
fruit trees grown in highlands area . The most of land area in the highlands
is steep and rugged, and increasingly vulnerable to erosion due to changing
social patterns, inappropriate agricultural practices and renoval of woody
vegetation.
Two cultural practices often forgotten. They are request'ed in all the
cultivars cropped. The first one is the thinning. It is a complexion
of the winter pruning in order to avoid the annual alternative production
and to increase the quality of the fruit. The fruit during the first stages
of the growth ion
and to increase the quality of the fruit. The fruit during the first stages
of the growth produce giberellines that is an antagonist hormone to the
cytochinine in the flower bud induction. The reduction of the number of
fruits on the tree enchances the size and the total yield. The second
is the pollination. It must be developed by using pollinazer and bees.
The direct effect of the good pollination is the presence in fruits of
many seeds. They induce a swelling of the fruit (paricularly in the apples)
and a better regular shape.
The public sector influence in the fertilizer supply status in Yemen is through the foreign exchange control and licensing procedures, while the private sector played an undeniable role in fertilizer supply to the country. The foreign fertilizer donations constituted a large portion of the available fertilizers.
The fertilizer supply for the period 1971-1987 was characterized by the following :
Importation of fertilizer to Yemen is sporadic since 1970 with a marked decline of imports since 1983 and a prominent fertilizer shortage in recent years. The total fertilizer imports in the period 1984-1986 averaged 7.600 tons perorts in the period 1984-1986 averaged 7.600 tons per year which was only 25% of the 29.800 ton per year imported for the period 1982-1983. The fertilizer supply in 1987 was still only 40% of the 1982-1983 average. The end result is an unstable fertilizer market, fertilizer shortage and an increase in fertilizer prices (e.g. the average price for urea was 286 Yemeni Rials per bag of urea which is more than 400% of the Yemen 70 per bag farm price). The national average of fertilizer usage in Yemen is among the lowest in the world (5.5kg/ha). N,P,K and organic mater are recommended for the deciduous fruit trees and micronutrient deficiency corrected using foliar fertilizers containing microelements.
It is expected that application of fertilizers should increase the yield
by 25-30%. Application of potash and phosphorous would be justified only
when such need is proved experimentally. Such experimentation would also
be needed to determine optimal dosages of nitrogen.
Most of Yemen,s soils are calcareous, and they tend to be alkaline, with pH of 7.0 or higher in many cases. There is a low level of organic matter, which means that the soils have very low capacity for providing availabs have very low capacity for providing available nitrogen for a crop. Generally speaking, they test in the low to medium range for phosphorus and have high levels of exchangeable potassium.
Yemen,s soils are generally high in potassium. However, some crops, such as grapes, bananas, certain other tree fruits, tomatoes and potatoes often require more potassium than is ordinarily released by the soil.
Most Yemeni soils are calcareous and tend to be alkaline with low organic matter and a very low capacity to provide nitrogen (5). However, the soil survey of the Dhamar-Yarim and Amran regions (6) revealed a calcareous silt and those of the Sadah plains being characterized by coarser alluvial materials.
During plant nutrition investigation (13) it was reported that the soils are generally alkaline with rare intensive magnesium deficiency which appears at excessive potassium application. Boron deficiency is associated with well leached sandy, acid soils, nitrogen content is low-medium; phosphorus is very low to low and potassium is high to very high. Most common nutrient disorders in vineyards are associated with very sandy soils.
The unavailability of phosphates is attributed (10) to the very alkaline Yemeni soils. In the highlands, deciduous fruits, particularly apples, have a high requirement of potassium while calcium is considered adequate and available in these alkaline soils.
In general, the total soluble solids ils.
In general, the total soluble solids are within a normal range and nitrogen and phosphorus are adequate with potassium at rather high levels in the soil at most Yemeni nurseries (9). Magnesium and iron tend to be low but sulphur and chlorine are in normal range.
The Yemeni soils ultimately require supplemental nitrogen (5) for virtually all crops except legumes. Phosphorus deficiency shows up when nitrogen application becomes substantial. Potassium is generally high.
Soils in the areas lying next to the mountain range have been developed from gravel deposits worked down from the mountains and subsequently subjected to weathering agencies, wind and water. The soils at present are being used as grazing land. In the middle belt, soils consist of fine alluvial silts and coastal sands, laid down by streams. They are fine textured, deep and generally calcareous. Wherever water is available if these soils have been brought under cultivation.
The soils in the coastal belt are light, sandy loam and mostly saline. Since date palms are known to have higher degree of salt tolerance, most of the date plantations have been established in this narrow belt of a few to several kilometres in width.
Tihamma plain has slight slope towards the Red sea and this provides
natural drainage. These soils appear to support date palms without any
ill effects; deficiency of other inputs in places is apparently responsible
for poor growthplaces is apparently responsible
for poor growth and productivity.
Black fly (Aleurocanthus Woglumii)
Cotton cushiony scale (Icerya purchasi)
Black scale (Paralatoria ziziphi)
California red scale (Aonidiella aurantii)
Leaf miner
Psylids
The following disease have been identified in Medinat.
Gumosis (Phytophthora parasitica and P. citrophora)
Malsecco or Anthracnose
Tristeza, virus (suspected)
Greening disease, virus (suspected) Dr. W. Gassert and Dr. Askari)
Cristacortis, virus. (J. Bove)
Xyloporosis, virus (Cachexia) (J. Bove)
The subject of curing, packing and marketing will be covered in greater
detail by the Date Processing Expert who will be undertaking a consultancy
mission to Yemen during the crop harvest season in 1980.