Yemen has a rich and proud agricultural history stretching over 6,000 years. Excavations in Dhamar confirm that agriculture practices were firmly in place by the 4th millenium BC, in particular cultivation of wheat, barley and lentils. In 950 BC, Bilquis, the Queen of Sheba, founded the Sabean dynasty which would last 14 centuries and was largely based on agricultural wealth.
Yemen Agriculture History
Rooted in history
In the 8th century, the first Ma’rib Dam was built and stood for over a thousand years, providing irrigation to rich farmland.
Yemen is one of the only modern countries to be named in ancient texts, including the Holy Quran, which additionally refers to the fertile, irrigated land on both sides of the dam as the “two paradises.”
Yemen’s history is also intertwined with coffee. Commercial cultivation began around the 16th century, and between the 16th and 18th centuries Yemen was the main producer and exporter of coffee globally. Most coffee left Yemen’s western port city of al-Mukha, from where we get the word “mocha” used today.
Growth of tomorrow
Agriculture continues to play a major role in Yemen today. It is estimated to make up 20 percent of Yemen’s GDP, and provide 58 percent of local employment.
We at Adam Hale Est. believe that Yemen’s future economic success is inextricably linked with the future developing and flourishing of the agriculutre sector, and are committed to working with local stakeholders to achieve that destiny.