“The Land as a Bet”: The Shura Council Translates the Directives of the September 21 Revolution into Food Sovereignty
In the context of the national transformations launched by the glorious September 21 Revolution, which restored Yemen’s sovereign decision-making and liberated its economic direction from external dependence, official attention is escalating toward the issue of food security as a strategic priority that cannot be postponed, especially in light of the rapidly evolving economic challenges.
In this context, the discussion about revitalizing the agricultural sector within the Shura Council is no longer merely a traditional topic, but has transformed into a practical course of action based on a comprehensive sovereign vision. This vision aims to restore the status of Yemeni land as a cornerstone of production and break the cycle of dependence on imports imposed during decades of foreign control.
During a joint meeting described as strategic, held by the Council on Monday, the foundations were laid for a new agricultural policy. This policy focuses on investing in the natural resources of promising governorates, from Al-Jawf to Ma’rib, Hajjah, and Al-Hudaydah, transforming them into open production fields for wheat and grain crops. This will enhance self-sufficiency and establish a new era of food sovereignty.
The meeting, which included leaders from the Ministry of Agriculture and relevant authorities, went beyond simply identifying problems, moving towards approving practical steps. The most prominent of these was the formation of a joint “Agricultural Rescue Committee,” which will be tasked with preparing an operational report linking available natural resources with leadership directives, within a comprehensive national framework reflecting the post-September 21st era.
Practical Solutions: From Curbing Qat to Protecting National Produce
Regarding solutions, the meeting proposed a set of specific measures, foremost among them the necessity of limiting the expansion of qat cultivation, especially in fertile valleys, and directing water resources towards strategic crops, considering this a fundamental approach to restoring agricultural balance.
It also called for building a responsible partnership with wheat importers through what could be described as a “social contract” that supports Yemeni farmers by purchasing local produce at encouraging prices, in parallel with adopting policies that protect national production from market saturation by imports.
On the development front, the meeting emphasized the importance of introducing modern technologies and providing harvesters, which will contribute to reducing production costs, improving crop quality, and enhancing their competitiveness in the market.
Food Sovereignty: The Fruit of an Independent Decision
Speaker of the Shura Council, Mohammed Al-Aidaroos, affirmed that the Council is approaching this issue from a realistic and practical standpoint, moving beyond theoretical discussions, to ensure that recommendations are translated into executive actions within the framework of the Change and Construction Government program. This program is an extension of the September 21 Revolution’s path toward building an independent state.
This approach reflects a growing conviction that the agricultural sector is no longer merely an economic activity, but rather the first line of defense in the battle for national independence. Achieving self-sufficiency has become an integral part of the sovereignty struggle that Yemen is waging.
With the formation of the joint committee between the Shura Council and the Ministry of Agriculture, the country is moving toward a new phase, one characterized by transforming land into an active element in the equation of resilience. Every cultivated inch will become a step forward in achieving food security and a practical embodiment of the goals of the September 21 Revolution: restoring national sovereignty and building a resilient economy.