Taiz Local Authority Organizes the First Agricultural and Fisheries Economic Opportunities Conference

Today, Sunday, the local authority in Taiz Governorate organized the first conference on agricultural and fisheries economic opportunities, in coordination with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), to commemorate World Food Day.

The conference comes within the economic and social development plan for the governorate for the year 2024-2026 AD, to come up with a vision capable of solving all agricultural problems, avoiding flood and rain disasters, promoting agricultural development and exploiting investment opportunities in the agricultural sector and fisheries wealth, and to maximize partnership and integration between the two sectors (public and private).

In a speech, the First Deputy Governor of Taiz, Dr. Abdul-Qawi Al-Mikhlafi, expressed his gratitude for choosing the city of Taiz as the venue for this important conference on agricultural economic opportunities, which comes after the end of the first economic conference, which is considered the most important scientific event witnessed by Yemen, especially since it was held in light of the deteriorating economic situation due to the Houthi militias’ coup and their targeting of oil export ports.

Al-Mikhlafi praised the pivotal role played by FAO in driving sustainable development through projects aimed at enhancing agricultural and livestock productivity, which contributes to improving the standard of living of families.

He said that holding this conference is appropriate for the framework of the governorate's strategic plan, which was prepared by a specialized committee, and represents an opportunity to invite civil society organizations to develop joint action plans aimed at enhancing the adaptive capacity of farmers and fishermen.

He stressed that "the cooperation and true partnership between the local authority, civil society organizations and the private sector is the key to achieving success and development in various sectors with the aim of achieving development."

Al-Mikhlafi called on the presidency of Taiz University to pay attention to opening a college of agriculture with its various specializations, to enhance education and research in this vital field, which would contribute to developing the capabilities of young people and enhance their contributions to the local economy, hoping that the conference would come out with valuable recommendations that would contribute to enhancing food security and economic recovery in the governorate.

In turn, the Director of the Planning and International Cooperation Office in Taiz Governorate, Nabil Jamel, confirmed that the conference comes within the framework of the fourth pillar of the socio-economic development plan for Taiz Governorate 2024-2026.

Jamel added: “This conference seeks to enhance investment opportunities in the agricultural and fisheries sector, and through it we seek to come up with a vision for how to exploit these opportunities in a way that serves the transition from emergency response to sustainable development.”

The Director of the Planning Office pointed out the major role assigned to the United Nations agencies and international and local organizations to focus attention on these important sectors to achieve developmental progress, nutritional stability, and improve agricultural livelihoods.

For his part, the Director of the Agriculture and Irrigation Office, Eng. Abdullah Othman Al-Duais, said, “This event is of particular importance as it coincides with World Food Day, which is celebrated on October 16. This coincidence reflects the challenges facing us in the field of food security and calls on us all to take a practical step to enhance the ability to achieve food sustainability in our society.”

He added, "Taiz Governorate, with its rich natural resources and unique environmental diversity, stands out as a major destination for agricultural and fish production. Its diverse terrain and moderate climate provide everyone with a real opportunity to invest these resources in a way that achieves food security and contributes to improving the standard of living for the population."

Al-Dais praised the vital role played by organizations, which play a pivotal role in enhancing development efforts, stressing the importance of exerting efforts and making future interventions through official frameworks and established systems, in accordance with economic development plans based on studying needs, investing available opportunities, and ensuring the sustainability of agricultural, animal and fish wealth and the rights of future generations.

Mr. Ali Mo, Senior Technical Expert at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), stressed the UN organization’s welcome to holding this conference, which is a fundamental building block for enhancing investment opportunities in the agricultural sector, praising the private sector’s participation in the conference.

Mo stressed the importance of such conferences and their important role in highlighting economic opportunities in the agricultural and fisheries sectors, especially since Taiz Governorate is rich in many opportunities.

Amin Hassan Al-Malik also gave a speech about the private sector, in which he reviewed the economic opportunities system, reality and challenges, and the importance of the concerned parties playing their pivotal role in the required manner in this important economic field.

During the conference, five working papers were presented by researchers and specialists in the agricultural sector, which included a review of the most prominent investment opportunities in the agricultural, livestock and fisheries sectors, with active participation from the private sector, representatives of local and international civil society organizations, executive offices and local authorities in the directorates, in addition to agricultural experts and directors of branches of agricultural offices in the governorate.

The conference included an exhibition of agricultural products, which included more than 8 corners, to display agricultural products produced by rural women entrepreneurs, farmers, and institutions interested in agriculture, agricultural and animal production.