Environmental Studies and Water Resources Center at Hadhramout University organized an event in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to celebrate World Food Day at Ali Hood Baabad Hall in Mukalla. The event is held on October 16th of each year under the slogan “Do not leave anyone behind. It is held under the generous sponsorship of the Hadhramout Governor, Mr. Mabkhoot Mubarak bin Madi, the President of Hadhramout University and the FAO Resident Representative in Yemen. The event is part of the Sustainable Water Management Project in Wadi Hadhramout, funded by the Dutch government.
During the inauguration ceremony of the event, Mr. Fahmi Awadh Badhawi, the Assistant Governor of Hadhramout, conveyed greetings from Governor Mabkhoot bin Madi and stated that Hadhramout, with its geographical area, has great potential in the agricultural field. He emphasized the need for FAO’s interventions to support modern irrigation technology projects and encourage investment in the agriculture sector. He stressed that there is no life without industry and no agriculture without water, calling on all parties to intensify efforts to promote the agriculture sector in Hadhramout. He expressed gratitude to FAO for its support in the agriculture sector in Hadhramout through the integrated partnership between the organization and the local authority in the governorate.
Prof. Mohamed Saeed Khanbash, the President of Hadhramout University, pointed out that this event would increase public awareness of world hunger and the discovery of risks transmitted through food. He affirmed that this celebration coincides with the official celebration organized by the FAO, with the participation of 150 countries, including our country, to shed light on the suffering of 2.4 billion people in countries suffering from water scarcity. He also mentioned that 600 million people rely on polluted water systems, in addition to the deterioration of ecosystems and the effects of climate change. He emphasized that this crisis has affected life as a whole. Therefore, improving integrated water resource management is recommended, including enhancing the sustainability of water resources, adopting a national strategy to address drought and salinity, and supporting farmers with modern methods.
Dr. Waleed Saleh, the Senior Technical Advisor and Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) office in Aden, said, “Today, we celebrate the importance of food and agriculture in our lives and acknowledge the challenges faced by many people around the world in food and nutrition.” He pointed out that Yemen is one of the countries affected by food insecurity due to the ongoing conflict, which has exacerbated the water crisis and made it difficult for farmers to produce food. He emphasized that FAO, despite the challenges, works to support farmers, agricultural herders, beekeepers, and fishermen to ensure they have better production, environment, livelihoods, and nutrition.
The event included a scientific lecture on Modern Irrigation Systems, Effective Water Resource Management, and Good Agricultural Practices, presented by Engineer Saad Al-Hawasri.
Afterward, representatives from the FAO in Yemen, Dr. Waleed Saleh, Dr. Salem Mohammed bin Salman, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at Hadhramout University, Dr. Khaled Bawahedi, Director of the Environmental Studies and Water Resources Center at Hadhramout University, and Engineer Awadh Balqiman, the Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation’s office in Hadhramout Al-Sahel, inaugurated the exhibition of agricultural products and crops accompanying the World Food Day event. It included sections from the university faculties, agricultural and marine food industries, producer families, and civil society organizations.
The event was attended by Prof. Abdullah Saleh Babair, Vice President of the University for Academic Affairs, deans of faculties, their deputies, staff members, researchers, and students of Hadhramout University. It was also attended by Mr. Salem Bawazeer, the Director-General of Wadi Al-Ain and Hura Directorate, Mr. Ali Bashmakh, Executive Director of Selah Foundation for Development, Mr. Ibrahim bin Thabit, Executive Director, and Mr. Mohammed Mansour bin Thabit, from Nahd Foundation for Development.
