War, withdrawal of government subsidies devastate agriculture

Farmland in Lahij, one of the most important agricultural governorates in southern Yemen, has declined significantly in comparison with years before the outbreak of the war in 2015.

According to statistics issued by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2018, the area of arable land in the governorate amounted to 26,390 hectares with about 55,570 farmers.

Now the Al-Hussaini farms in Lahj, which were known for their cultivation of bananas, fruits, and vegetables have turned into barren areas.

Farmers told A24 that the underlying causes of land degradation were war-induced population flight, high diesel prices for running irrigation systems, and the government removing all subsidies for farmers.