Major General Bin Brik reviews most prominent work programs of Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Fisheries

SMA NEWS – ADEN THE CAPITAL
Major General Ahmed Saeed Bin Brik, Vice President of the Southern Transitional Council, reviewed the most prominent work programs and achievements of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Fisheries, which included the restoration of the Wadi Hassan Dam, restoration and rehabilitation of one of the dams of the Radfan districts, in addition to supporting farmers to improve their living.

This came during his meeting on Wednesday, in the capital, Aden, with Eng. Abdul Malik Naji, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation for the Agricultural Production Sector, in the presence of Eng. Saleh Musaed Al-Amir, President of the Southern Agricultural Cooperative Union, and Eng. Shaker Abdel Shakour, Director of the Office of the Undersecretary of Agriculture and Irrigation for the Agricultural Production Sector, in which Major General Bin Brik listened to explanation of the most prominent achievements of the Ministry under the leadership of Minister Salem Al-Socotri.

Naji mentioned the work programs of the construction of Wadi Hassan Dam in Abyan Governorate, with an amount of 150 million USD, funded by the United Arab Emirates, where an amount of 78 million USD was delivered so that work on it is proceeding in full, and the rehabilitation of Sheba Dam in Radfan, with an amount of 708 million riyals, with funded by Government, using 8,000 acres for agriculture in Al Raha area, and supporting farmers to improve their standard of living by opening a point of sale for dairy products, in addition to opening seven henna grinding centers, in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross, which supports this work.

Eng. Abdul Malik Naji continued, saying that the Ministry of Agriculture has restored activity to Al-Kode Center for Agricultural Research, adding that there is cooperation from the Governor of Al-Mahra Governorate to establish an agricultural research center in Al-Mahra, and the Ministry is also in the process of establishing two national centers for coffee and honey there.

The meeting reviewed all the obstacles facing the agricultural sector, the most prominent of which is the conversion of agricultural lands in Tuban Delta and Abyan Delta into land for housing and real estate investment, which threatens food security in the country, in addition to maintenance workshops and agricultural rental stations that used to cover the needs of farmers.
Abdul Malik touched on the capabilities that the South had, including the cultivation of cotton on an area of ten thousand acres, in contrast to the present time, which is only grown on one acre in order to preserve the seeds.

In the meeting, Major General Ahmed Bin Brik stressed the need to pay attention to the agricultural aspect, stop tampering with agricultural lands, and prevent their conversion into commercial and residential lands, noting that the Southern Transitional Council stands by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Fisheries and supports it in maintaining food security.

For their part, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Fisheries expressed thanks to Major General Bin Brik for his support, constant keenness and interest in overcoming the difficulties and obstacles that stand in the line of work of the Ministry.