In the second ten-day period of April 2025, the early warning agro meteorological forecast predicts ongoing weather variability with increased precipitation across various Yemen’s Southern Uplands governorates, according to a recent press release by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which predicted that this could impact current agricultural activities and the development of seasonal crops.
Key Concerns, regarding rainfall conditions according to FAO, as of the second ten-day period of April 2025, forecasts indicate a slight increase in rainfall amount and distribution in Yemen, especially in the southern elevated governorates. In areas like Ibb, rainfall totals are expected to range from 60 to 100 mm, gradually decreasing in the surrounding regions. This increase could benefit the crop planting phase by enhancing soil moisture and supporting in germination. However, areas lacking rainfall may face challenges, such as disrupted field operations and delays in crop germination.
In regard to rising temperatures, FAO predicts that by mid-April 2025, temperatures are projected to further rise, exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in the desert governorates of Hadramaut and Al Maharah, raising the risk of heat related hazards. Coastal governorates along the Red Sea, such as Hajjah, Al Hudaydah, and Taizz, are likely to experience minimal risk of elevated temperatures, though they may still exceed seasonal norms. These higher temperatures, along with persistent dry conditions, are expected to increase water stress, which could impact early sown crops and newly transplanted seedlings, potentially offsetting the benefits of rainfall in the Southern Uplands and coastal irrigated areas.
To address these climatic events, the FAO, in collaboration with its partners, recommends the following actions to enhance the resilience of agricultural communities in response to the mid-April 2025 weather forecasts:
• Improved Water Management: Optimize irrigation systems, implement water conservation practices such as rainwater harvesting, expand the use of water-efficient technologies like drip irrigation and soil moisture sensors, and strengthen community-based water management to ensure equitable resource distribution.
• Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA): Promote the use of drought-tolerant crops, encourage crop diversification, and provide access to resilient seeds and climate-smart agricultural practices to improve soil and water retention.
• Heat Stress Mitigation for Livestock: Implement cooling systems for livestock enclosures, adjust management practices such as feeding times and water access, and educate farmers on early warning systems for heat stress to enable proactive interventions