Hodeidah – Saba:
A workshop was held today in Hodeidah Governorate to prepare the integrated development plan for the year 1447 AH and determine the priorities for economic empowerment projects. The event involved the participation of heads of agricultural cooperative associations and district planning directors.
Organized by the Planning Department in coordination with the General Administration for Development Research and Training, the Tihama Development Authority, the Agricultural Cooperative Union, and Bonyan Foundation—with support from the Agricultural and Fisheries Projects and Initiatives Funding Unit—the workshop aimed to develop a comprehensive plan based on the actual needs of rural communities.
Governor Abdullah Atifi emphasized the importance of participatory planning to draft a development map aligned with district needs. He highlighted that the success of such plans depends on community engagement and the effective role of agricultural cooperatives in setting realistic priorities.
First Deputy Governor Ahmed Al-Bishri stressed the shift from traditional to need-based planning, calling for accurate data and genuine cooperation among all stakeholders. He pointed out Hodeidah’s strong agricultural potential, which, if utilized effectively, could significantly transform rural livelihoods.
Assistant Deputy Governor Mutahar Al-Hadi underlined that successful planning depends on a clear understanding of the local environment and the efficient use of resources. He stressed the importance of community engagement and institutional support for cooperatives.
Key contributions came from the Head of the Tihama Development Authority, Ali Haza’a, Zakat Office Director Mohammed Haza’a, Agricultural Union Branch Head Ahmed Al-Haij, and Statistics Office Director Tamim Al-Absi. They discussed the importance of role integration and information sharing.
The workshop reviewed successful past initiatives by cooperative associations, including desert land cultivation and dairy production. It also addressed challenges such as limited funding, access to inputs, and the need for administrative and technical capacity building.
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