As summer arrives in Yemen, the streets of Sanaa have come alive with vendors selling prickly pear fruit, a seasonal staple offering both sustenance and an economic lifeline to a country reeling from a decade of war.

Sana'a

In Yemen, the prickly pear fruit has transitioned from a wild, seasonal offering to a staple crop, especially in the capital, Sana'a. Its resilience to drought and minimal irrigation needs have made it increasingly popular among farmers, particularly as the country continues to face the effects of a decade-long conflict. 

The fruit is now a source of income for many, with vendors lining the streets and entrepreneurs providing tools and facilities for packaging and marketing. According to a 2022 UN report, a significant portion of Yemen's rural population relies on agriculture, and the prickly pear has become essential for their livelihoods.

Yemen's prickly pear: from a wild fruit to a country staple

In the hills of Gaiman in Yemen, farmers are busy harvesting and cleaning the prickly pear. Fruit, which was once a wild and seasonal offering, is now a staple in markets across the country due to its resilience to drought and minimal irrigation needs. With soaring temperatures, the streets of Yemen's capital Sana'a have come alive as vendors line the sidewalks with piles of the cactus fruit. However, for many, it's more than a treat. The seasonal fruit provides a livelihood to many in a country still reeling from a decade of war. Ali Abdallah, a vendor, says many of those who don't have jobs these days turn to selling prickly pear. Although no official data tracks the crop's growth, farmers and vendors have reported a sharp rise in its cultivation and popularity in recent years. Local entrepreneurs like Asad Shaker are supporting farmers with tools for packaging and thorn removal. The presence of facilities for cleaning, packaging and wrapping has helped farmers expand because they've seen significant economic and financial returns, which encourages them to farm more. These facilities also help farmers with marketing, both locally and internationally. According to a 2022 UN report, 73% of the country's rural population relies on agriculture for their livelihood, making the prickly pear an essential for many farmers.

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