SANAA, Yemen, July 20 (UPI) -- Internal conflict in Yemen is putting stress on an agricultural sector also plagued by drought and narcotics use, international reports indicate.
Yemen is battling a southern secessionist movement, a Shiite insurgency and a looming threat from al-Qaida. Meanwhile, Yahya al-Habbari, a member of the governing council in Yemen, said 70 percent of the usable farmland in his country is used for khat, a plant that contains a natural stimulant.
Habbari told the U.N.'s humanitarian news agency IRIN that a lack of water was complicating the issue of farming in his country.
"Farmers use water scarcity or reduced rainfall as an excuse to quit farming and migrate to cities in search of other work opportunities," he said. "This increases Yemen's dependence on imported grains."
Grain production has declined in Yemen since 2007 because of khat cultivation, conflict and drought. The International Food Policy Research Institute said agricultural pressures and instability could create long-term problems for Yemen.
"If no action is taken, food security is projected to remain at extremely low levels through 2020 and Yemen will remain highly vulnerable to external shocks and disasters," an IFPRI report said.
