1. Dr. Khader Balem Atroosh (National Focal Point, WLI, Yemen) 2.

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Dr. Khader Balem Atroosh(National Focal Point, WLI, Yemen)

2

No.NameMission

1Khader B. AtrooshWadi Flows, Spate Irrigation practices and management

2 Esam ObadiUnderground water Resources, Abyan Delta basin assessment

3Ali Ahmed YahyaHorticulture crops management

4 Abdulla A. AlmaflahiSoil fertility and nutrition, soil and land maps 5 Barakah M. SalemSoil fertility and nutrition, soil and land maps 6 Mohamed A. AlanbariHorticulture crops management 7Herteen MahaltiHorticulture crops management 8Fadel YeslamField crops management9 Igbal S. GahlanField crops management

10 Balil M. SaeedInsects and Honey bees11 Nawal A. QassemPlant Pathology12 Abdulla Q. MagramLand cover13 Sina M. AliRangeland14 Ali F. FartotMechanization 15Nashwan A. ObaidGIS16Nagiba MoamerPublic awermess

Work Team:

No.NameMission

1 Mohamed S. AlmagdiSocioeconomic characterization

2 Saleh M. SaeedSocioeconomic characterization

Bio-Physical Team Socio-Economic Team

Technician & Extension Assistances Team

No.NameMission1Mohamed GasserLaboratory analyses

2Alwai ManssorLaboratory analyses

3Fozia AwaalLaboratory analyses4Aida MarkhosLaboratory analyses5Riam AwasLaboratory analyses6Wafa Saeed AlnenoLaboratory analyses7 Mohamed S. HusseinSoil sample collection8Nasser M. SalamAgricultural Extensions 9Farag AlsharaAgricultural Extensions

10Ahmed M. AlabedAgricultural Extensions 11Mohamed MasekAgricultural Extensions 13Abdullah Dabi QassemAgricultural Extensions

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Location:The Abyan delta plain is located in an arid to sub-tropical area, approximately between latitudes 13o 04’ to 13o 18’ N, and longitudes 45o 08’ to 45o 30’ E. It lies at the Gulf of Aden, about 55 km east of Aden.

Abyan Delta

I.1 General Information

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DistrictNo. of

houses

No. of

Families

MaleFemaleTotal

Zingibar39903934131231240125524Khanfar16505161375589053154109044

Total Delta20495200716901365555134568Total Abyan governorate5898458833221226212593433819

% to the total governorate 34.734.131.230.831.0

Population of Abyan Delta (Population, houses and construction census 2004).

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a)Spate irrigated area24,954 ha

of which:Spate irrigated area under wadi Bana20,877 ha

Spate irrigated area under wadi Hassan4,077 ha

b)Groundwater irrigated area2,971 ha

c)Abandoned and semi-abandoned area11,538 ha

Gross irrigable area39,463 ha

I.1 General Information

Land Use

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TextureSalinity

Light TextureMedium TextureHeavy TextureTotalMapping

UnitArea (ha)(%)Mappin

g UnitArea (ha)(%)Mappi

ng Unit

Area (ha)(%)(ha)(%)

Non salineL11091976M1883168H18266682801671

Slightly salineL2189513M2254420H2224519668417

Mderately salineL312709M31781H3609520575

Strongly salineL42562M4147211H4978827067

Subtotal14340100130251001209810039463100

Rock outcropsQQ269348SandSD48347

SettlementST7856Wadi bedWB524839Subtotal135601356025

GRAND TOTAL---53023100

Descriptions of soil map legend

I.2 Agro-ecosystem characterization

TypeClassUnitArea (ha)

(%) of

Classiified Area

(%) of Total

Area

Highly suitable1(S1)

-280517152

Moderately suitable(Arable)

2(S2)

2s2sa2t

2s, sa2s, sa,

t2s, d2sa, d

11483662476405268600138

3911

0.71.50.5

2.27

0.90.80.51.10.3

Sub-total66971713

Marginally suitable(Arable)

3(S3)

3s, sa3sa

3sa, t

77868

1095

0.22

2.8

0.21.62

Sub-total204054

Non-suitable(Non-arable)

6(N)

6sa6s, sa6sa, d

6s,sa, d6sa, t,

d

569975483149499

1.42.51.20.41.3

11.80.90.30.9

Sub-total267575Total

Classiified Area

3946310074

Non-suitable(Non-arable)

(Non-classifide)

6(N)

QQSDWBU

269348345248785

6.812132

59

101.5

Sub-total135603426Grand Total

53023100100

The distribution of land suitability types in the Abyan Delta.Deficiencies: s = soil sa = salinity t = topography d = drainageQ = sands and beaches SD = sand dunes W = wabi bedU = settlement

The distribution of land suitability types in the Abyan Delta.

I.2 Agro-ecosystem characterizationPart I: Bio-physical characterizationPart I: Bio-physical characterization

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YearAutumnsummerTotalYearAutumnsummerTotal194864.03.767.7197972.252.3124.5194958.129.587.6198078.475.6154.01950167.741.4209.1198194.40.094.41951149.139.0188.1198242.2112.4154.61952102.818.6121.4198391.639.3130.91953128.050.9178.9198463.629.493.01954228.850.1278.9198556.718.274.91955125.440.8166.2198653.90.053.91956107.120.8127.9198768.195.9164.01957117.9168.7286.6198896.12.698.7195859.525.585.0198944.943.488.31959111.819.0130.81990127.30.0127.3196055.572.0127.5199129.542.972.4196176.913.890.7199250.637.888.41962136.215.1151.3199363.323.186.41963127.0137.8264.8199453.23.656.81964163.552.0215.5199561.32.263.5196568.038.9106.91996120.050.0170.0196679.317.797.01997130.060.0190.0196775.972.7148.6199890.040.0130.01968128.550.4178.9199960.020.080.0196994.242.2136.4200065.030.095.0197081.056.6137.6200160.030.090.0197144.438.182.5200260.020.080.0197274.074.4148.4200370.030.0100.0197394.41.295.6200466.029.595.5197416.513.930.4200584.058.2142.2197555.60.055.6200661.525.386.8197625.154.779.8200761.525.386.8197764.924.789.6200858.232.190.3197857.730.087.7----

Descriptive StatisticsStatisticAutumnSummer

Sample Size6161Range212.3168.7Mean83.15238.415

Variance1463.71020.5Std. Deviation38.25931.946

Coef. of Variation0.46010.8316Std. Error4.89854.0903Skewness1.28271.8176

Excess Kurtosis2.45614.8495

Observed Wadi Bana Flows During the period of 1948-2008

I.2 Agro-ecosystem characterization

Table 1, Probability Distribution of

Wadi Bana Flow

Million Cubic meter (Mm3)

SeasonProbability, P%

CvCs

51025507590

Autumn 1561341037655440.4601.2

Summer1028152291580.8321.8

Total2582151551057052

I.2 Agro-ecosystem characterization

Part I: Bio-physical Part I: Bio-physical characterizationcharacterization

Cv. = 0.460Cs = 1.2R = 0.98Chi-Sq = 39.305•• Observed

__ Expected

Quantile estimates for various return periods, (Mm3)

YearCumulative FrequencyAutumnSummer

50.80011060

100.90013974

250.96018389

500.980222102

1000.990266113

2000.995317124

5000.998396136

I.2 Agro-ecosystem characterization

Part I: Bio-physical Part I: Bio-physical characterizationcharacterization

Cropped Area Map of the Abyan Delta

By:Pelgrum H. et all, Satellite Imagery for Cropping Pattern and Irrigated Area Monitoring, MAI, July

2009.

16 Apri; 2006 Classification result

Uncropped Single Season Crops Double Season Crops Perennial CropsBanana

A colour composite is shown together with the classification result.

EXAMPLE of BANANA PLANTATIONS

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 FamilyScientific Name  FamilyScientific Name 

TamaricaceaeTamarix aphyllaCapparaceaeCadab rotundifoliaSalvadoraceaeSalvador persicaZygophyllaceaeTribulus terrestrisLeyuminosaePrsopis jalifloraMoraceaeFicus sycomorusRhamnaceaeZiziphus spina – ChristiMimosaceaeAcacia tortilis

MeliaceaeZadirachta indicaGramineaeOdyssa mucronataMimosaceaeAibizzia lebbekMimosaceaeAcacia niloticaLeguminosaeParkinsonia aculeataAsclepodiaceaeLeptadenia pyrotechnicaCappraceaeDipterygium glaucumEuphorbiaceaeEuphorbia hirta

ChenopdiaceaeSalsola foetidaChenopodiaceaeSuaeda fruticosaGramineaeSporobolus spicatusCompositaePluchea dioscoroidesMyrtaceaeEngenia jambolanaZygophllaceaeFagonia indica

EuphorbiaceaeRicinus communisLeguminosaIndigofera oblangifoliaZygphyllaceaeZygophyllum simplex Tephrosia opollinea

CyperaceaCyperus longusGramineaeBrachiara reptansLeguminosaePrsopis cnieraiaGramineaeCynodon dacyionLeguminosaeLeucaene leucoepnalaCyperaceaeCyperus rotundus

ZygopyllaceaeBalanites aegyptiacaMalvaceaeAbutilon fruticosumCompositaePulicaria crispaCapperidacaeCleome spGramineaeDesmostachya binnataTiliaceaeCorchorus depressns

CombertaceaeConocarous lancifoliusLeguminosaeCassia senna

Land Cover Plants

I.2 Agro-ecosystem characterization

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 FamilyScientific Name  FamilyScientific Name 

 Indigofera spinosaZygophyllaceaeTribulus sp Cassia italicaCompositaeYanthium strumarrium

PrimulaceaeAnagalls arvensisFabaceaeAinagi maurorum

GramineaeHalpprum mucronatumGramineaeDactyloctenium aegyptiumSolanceaeWithania somniferaSolanaceaeLycium shawii

CompositaeSonchus oleraceus L.MimosaceaePithecolobium deluceLythraceaeLawosonia inermisLeguminosaeIndigofera semitiginga

GramineaePanicum turgidumCucurbitaceaeCucumis myrocarpusArisolochinaceaeAristolocnia bracteolateCapparaceaeCapparis decidua

SolanaceaeSolanum dubiumMimosaceaeAcac melliferaGramineaeOdyssa mucronataSolanaceaeDatura stramonium

BoraginaceaeHeliotropium bacciferumTamaricaeaeTamarix arabieaCappariceaeCapparis spinosaConvolovulaceaeConvolvulus arvensis

CucurbitaceaeCitrullus colocynthisMonringaceaeMoringa perggina Penesitum purpurumCombaraceaeTerminalia catapp

EuphorbiaceaeChrozophora oblongifoliaCucurbiaceaeMornordica basaminaLeguminosaeRhynchosia memoniaLeguminosaeTamarindus indica

AmaranthaceaeAerva javanicaBignoniaceaeTecoma StansMalvaceaeThespesia popuineaLeguminosaePeltophorum africanum

AsclpidaceaeCalotropis proceraAmaranthaceaeAmaranthus graecizans

CompositaePluicaria sp  

Land Cover Plants

I.2 Agro-ecosystem characterization

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Groundwater useGross abstraction rate, Mm³/year

  Total delta

Northern zone

Central zone

Southern zone

Pumped irrigation74.93.1013.8058

Aden supply10.95.455.450

Domestic water supply0.060.160.130.31

Total86.48.7119.3858.31

I.2 Agro-ecosystem characterization

Groundwater Abstraction in Delta Abyan

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SiteWater Table, m

Annual Drop, m

North7.32.8

Middle 233.0

Southern350.5

East252.0

West250.8

Groundwater Table, m in the Delta Abyan2008-2010

I.2 Agro-ecosystem characterization

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0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

SUBI

BAH

AM J

ABLA

H

BA A

MER

ALSH

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ABD

ULLA

H

COBA

LIAH

GO

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AL S

ADAH

AL K

HAM

ELA

DUFA

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ADDI

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KHAB

T AL

ASL

OM

AL G

ABAL

IN

KATE

R

AL M

AHJA

R

UBER

OTH

MAN

AL T

ORY

AH

AL R

OM

ELLA

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WA

AL S

HEIK

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EDAR

AHL

FOLI

S-1

3

Al K

amp

Vilag

e

AlW

ahda

Far

m

ALLK

ADM

AH

AMO

DDIA

H

WL(

m)

Location

SWL Abyan delta

WL 2010

WL 1997

23

24

Batis

Alhusn

Gaar

Almakhzan

Zingebar

Alshaikh Abdulah

Elkod

Well Density in the Abyan Delta, (2083 wells)

I.2 Agro-ecosystem characterization

26

The main findings: The total cultivated area is about 14173 hectares,

Spate irrigated areas are equivalent about 79.04% of the cultivated area in the delta. The groundwater irrigated area is equivalent about 20.96% of the cultivated area in the delta.

Bananas Occupied the first place between fruit crops. Cultivation is concentrated in the bottom of the Delta by 72.15% of the bananas cultivation.

Spate irrigated areas are concentrated at the top and central Delta, while groundwater irrigated areas are concentrated in the bottom of the Delta.

An area of field crops occupied 82.06% of the cultivated area. Tomato is the main vegetable and occupies about 30.41% of the group.

There is a significant change in the crop structure into fruits, where the banana, mango and papaya are being expanded especially in the bottom and top of the Delta.

There are declining in the watermelon cultivations for the yellow mosaic viruses. Long-staple Cotton is the main crop growing under spate irrigation.

Intercropping is practiced by farmers, but at low rates.(Banana + Papaya + Onion + Tomatoes + Radishes).

There is a large of research techniques are not adopted by farmers. The adopted research techniques occupied 55.3%, 55.2% and 62.2% of the totals for vegetables, fruits and field crops

respectively.

II.1 Livelihood assessment:

Set up and size of agricultural family in Abyan Delta ( Result of questionnaire)

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Region

Percentage of married to one or more %Average number of children per family

Average size of family ( Parent+

children )One wifeTwo wivesThree wivesMaleFemaleTotal

male+ female

Upper Delta86.713.303.62.96.58.6Middle delta901004.137.19Lower Delta906.73.34.52.87.39Total Delta88.9101.142.979

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Age category and educational level for agricultural families ( Result of questionnaire )

II.1 Livelihood assessment:

29

Part II: Socio-economic Part II: Socio-economic CharacterizationCharacterizationII.1 Livelihood assessment:

CropIrrigation system

Yield (Kg/ha)Total return YR/ha

Total cost YR/ha

Net return YR/ha

Remarks

CottonSpate1366.08153684121690.331993.7Low returnCottonTubewell1586.15178441.87201951.5-23509.7LossSesameSpate53621927369200150073Sorghum (grains)SpateGrain 338 Fodder 17621375206450573015Low return

GroundnutSpate1897379400137000242400TomatoTubewell20283676100166711509389Red pepperTubewell773373286152169221117OkraTubewell9274360994169422191572WatermelonSpate15871488351132500355851SweetmelonSpate15476429157141000288157BananaTubewell22800900000261333638667AnnuallyMangoTubewell1593817260922432281482864Annually

Economic return for major crops cultivated in Abyan Delta

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Part II: Socio-economic Part II: Socio-economic CharacterizationCharacterization

Region

Source of income and its contribution in family livelihoodPlant productionCattle rearingWages from

employmentFree trade *

Family dependent

on resource %

Contribution of

resource, %

Family dependent

on resource %

Contribution of

resource, %

Family dependent

on resource %

Contribution of

resource %

Family dependent

on resource %

Contribution of

resource

%

Upper Delta9055.2202066.736.56.74.3Middle Delta90521713.75029.7104.7

Lower Delta86.764.713.312.546.720.516.79.8Total Delta88.957.316.815.454.528.911.16.3

Sources of income and its contribution in agricultural family livelihood in Abyan Delta

( By Questionnaire)

* Local taxis, small kiosks and other work (Group discussion)

II.1 Livelihood assessment:

II.2 Livestock characterization

31

Types of animals

20052006200720082009

Sheep487.173506.560531.888550.504561.514Goat794.347818.335851.068880.855898.272Cow21.89422.79423.25023.80824.522

Camel11.89412.01812.13812.38112.752

Number of animals in Abyan governorate for years 2005-2009 (Agricultural statistics book)

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Weaknesses: Decline in efficiency of spate irrigation network and need rehabilitation of its structures and components . Inadequate of periodic maintenance for main and secondary canals and seasonal preparations for arrival of spate irrigation. Random distribution of spate irrigation water and lack of access of spate water to many areas. High cost of diesel and its continuous non availability at fuel stations in most of time. Decreasing of groundwater table and salting of groundwater in many tube wells. High cost of agricultural inputs (seed, fertilizers and pesticides). Spread of agricultural pests on several crops and inefficiency of available pesticide to control pests ( watermelon chlorotic stunt disease, tomato leaf curl etc.). Absence of agricultural extension who were active in several regions on Abyan Delta.

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Weaknesses: Low price of banana sold mostly in the farm to wholesale merchants at constant price on long term agreement. Low price of several vegetable crops particularly, tomato during peak of season and its piling. Absence of modern marketing infrastructure to accommodate seasonal productions. Monopoly of wholesale merchants in the market and inefficient role of agricultural production marketing society and relevant societies in marketing. Absence of potential activities of societies and weak performance of cooperative works. Weak monitoring ,support and encouragement from agriculture and Irrigation office and local authorities.

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Part III: weaknesses and opportunities for Part III: weaknesses and opportunities for improving rural livelihoods at the Abyan Deltaimproving rural livelihoods at the Abyan Delta

Priorities:

Capacity building of water users' associations in water use efficiency.

Encouragement adoption of irrigation water saving technology. Encouragement of cooperative movement and role of civil

community organizations (NGOs) in Abyan Delta , past, present and future prospects with the objective to support participation of

community and its organizations in agricultural and rural development , resource management and local affairs.

Support of institutional building of spate irrigation and revive the legal relationship in Abyan Delta with the objective to activate and

improve the water resource management. Support agricultural research and extension in Abyan Delta and

revive its role for agricultural and rural development. Study the experience of saving and credit of women groups in

Abyan Delta , demonstrate the success and disseminate this experience.

Participatory Monitoring and evaluation for adoption of agricultural recommendation by farmers released by research .

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El Kod Agricultural Research Station, El Kod. National Water resource Authority, Abyan governorate

Farmers in Abyan Delta, beneficiaries from this initiative. Agricultural Extension Service , Abyan governorate

Agricultural associations (specialize and multipurpose). Irrigation Water Users' associations

Women's associations Youth associations

Union of Agricultural Cooperative, Abyan governorate. Union of Yemeni Women , Abyan governorate

Agricultural and Irrigation Office , Abyan governorate Spate Irrigation Department , Abyan governorate

Plant protection organization , Abyan governorate Insurance and Social Affairs Office , Abyan governorate

Local councils in governorate and districts Institutions engaged in agricultural i.e. Al Maaz Company and

agricultural input merchants

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Thank you for your attention