Hadramout: A Threat in the Valley of the Million Palm Trees

However, agricultural expert Saleh Al-Amoudi ruled out the spread of this disease. He told “South24 Center”: “Fusarium Oxysporum is usually transmitted when moving small trees from an infected place to a healthy one. I don’t think that Wadi Hajar’s farmers brought trees from other areas to cultivate them in their farms”.

Community activist Omar Baqassem, the Chairman of the Cultural Social Hajar Youth Forum, listed additional reasons for the deterioration of palm cultivation in Wadi Hajar. He told “South24 Center”: “There is a sort of reluctance from the whole agricultural activities. Most Wadi Hajar residents have refrained from palm cultivation due to its weak financial outcome”. 

Baqassem stresses that many palm farms in Wadi Hajar have been already infected by diseases. He added that "the disease which hit palm trees has not been identified yet which in an unprecedented way”. 

He stated that “90% of palm trees were infected by this disease. This has been evident in the sour taste of dates”. 

 

Baqassem listed the most prominent organizations that intervened in the face of the palm destruction crisis in Wadi Hajar. He noted that the interference currently is almost monopolized by the organizations amid full absence from the government.

He added: "The most prominent bodies that intervened include Benevolent Coalition for Humanitarian Relief as an implementer and implementing partner of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Food Program (WFP) and Field Medical Foundation (FMF)".

"Many changes have occurred thanks to these interventions. By the establishment of water barriers and diversion dams as well as maintaining and activating water channels, water fed these palm trees which were near demise due to the lack of water supplies. Accordingly, thousands of them were recovered", he said.

 

However, the interventions also have a negative aspect according to Baqassem who said: "While their intervention in the agricultural aspect has been largely useful, other negative aspects have emerged".

"Farmers have refrained from doing even small work for free, even if this would harm their land. They fully rely on the organizations. They wait for the intervention of these organizations, even if such delay will cause the demise of their trees", he explained.

Many farmers and people accuse the organization of implementing low-standard projects. In this regard, Baqassem said: "The main reason in my view is the lack of oversight and the sense of responsibility".

 

Agricultural expert Sohaib Al-Shatri stressed the importance of maintaining palm wealth. He added: "We all have to work with cooperation and solidarity to maintain this important crop and secure its sustainability through providing the necessary support as well as effective and permanent measures to preserve palm trees".

He concluded: "The government, international organizations and donors should provide support to the residents of the area as well as work to find immediate solutions and enhance sustainability in line with the needs of local communities and environment protection".