A Regional Expert Meeting on Controlling Qat Production in Yemen
14/05/2008-14/05/2008
The Regional Office for the Near East of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO/RNE) and the FAO Office in Yemen, in collaboration with the Yemeni Ministry for Agriculture are organizing an expert meeting on “Policy Options for a Sustainable Control of Qat Production” in Yemen on 14 May 2008.
The workshop will be attended by experts from FAO and other UN Agencies, Yemeni Ministries for Agriculture, Planning and Trade, farmers’ associations and NGOs.
The project aims at assisting the Government in devising the appropriate policy measures for the control of Qat production and its gradual replacement by appropriate cash/food products. FAO made this initiative because Qat production is a major challenge facing Yemeni agriculture. While Qat contributes significantly to GDP (estimated at more than 20%), it causes serious social and economic problems for the country. It raises the consumption of underground water to unsustainable rates; poses several health and social problems; and discourages production of essential export and food products.
The workshop will be attended by experts from FAO and other UN Agencies, Yemeni Ministries for Agriculture, Planning and Trade, farmers’ associations and NGOs.
The project aims at assisting the Government in devising the appropriate policy measures for the control of Qat production and its gradual replacement by appropriate cash/food products. FAO made this initiative because Qat production is a major challenge facing Yemeni agriculture. While Qat contributes significantly to GDP (estimated at more than 20%), it causes serious social and economic problems for the country. It raises the consumption of underground water to unsustainable rates; poses several health and social problems; and discourages production of essential export and food products.