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Yemen, known for its cultivation of both medium-staple and long-staple cotton, has a historical background in cotton production that dates to 1946. Cotton, often referred to as "white gold" in traditional Yemeni songs, holds deep cultural significance in Yemen. The southern and eastern regions saw the initial introduction of cotton cultivation during British occupation. In the north, Hodeida and the coastal areas of Hajja Governorates are the only areas that cultivate mediumstaple cotton.
The total cotton cultivation area in Yemen in 2021 reached 5,226 hectares, yielding an estimated 5,252 tons of cotton. Hodeida accounted for 1,760 hectares of cultivation, resulting in productivity of 2,000 tons, while Lahj cultivated 985 hectares, yielding 987 tons. Abyan had an estimated farm area of 2,352 hectares, with a productivity of 2,129 tons, and Hajjah accounted for 92 hectares,with a productivity of 96 tons1 .
The paper highlights that cotton varieties are predominantly grown in Ahwar Delta and Abyan Delta of Abyan Governorate, with the currently cultivated variety being the long-staple Maalim 2000. In Lahj Governorate, Tuban Delta, and Tihama Plain of Hodeida Governorate, the Akala SG2 variety is primarily grown. Cotton cultivation thrives in clay lands that are yellow, loamy, free from salts, and devoid of weeds2.
Though this high importance, farmers indicate that there is a shift towards cultivating qat and other cash crops that provide quick income, coupled with the neglect and lack of support from the government towards cotton farmers, which has led to the deterioration and possible extinction of cotton production3 .