Dhamar Governorate - Agricultural Activity

Agricultural Activity

Archeological studies attest to agricultural activity in Dhamar governorate starting some 7,000 years ago, through analysis of soil deposits at the Adra’ah dam east of Dhamar city. Dhamar’s inhabitants have farmed and herded animals since that time. Taking advantage of the governorate’s topographic diversity – plains, high plateaus, mountain slope valleys – farmers have introduced a diversity of crops, and agriculture became the governorate’s principle economic activity. The governorate contains about 28,000 square kilometres of arable land, of which 12,000 square kilometres is currently in cash crops such as corn, wheat and horticultural crops. The governorate also holds about 3,000 square kilometres devoted to growing vegetables and fruits that are marketed to other governorates of Yemen and to neighboring countries.

Dhamar governorate is also well-known of its coffee, in western districts such as Anis, Maghrab ‘Ans and ‘Utamah which provide the suitable climate for coffee production in commercial quantities. The coffee of Dhamar is distinguished by its high quality; the variety known as al-fadli is considered one of the best Yemeni coffee.

Another of the governorate’s important activities is herding of sheep and goats; the governorate is famous for Arabian horse breeding.