For years, watermelon—a once-beloved fruit in Lahj Governorate, Yemen —were fading from the region's farms. Why? Climate change, skyrocketing diesel prices, and outdated irrigation methods made cultivating them too costly and nearly impossible.

But today, Hussam, a 54-year-old farmer from Lahj, is proving that with the right support, lost crops can return, and with them, hope for bountiful watermelon yields once again.

“I’ve been a farmer for most of my life,” Hussam shares. “I used to work with the government, but now I focus only on my land. Times were tough—really tough. Watering the fields with diesel pumps was draining us financially. We couldn’t keep up.”

Irrigation support brings big change

Through the ERRY III Joint Programme, funded by the European Union and Government of Sweden, Hussam received a complete drip irrigation system, a solar-powered pump, a 200-liter tank, fertilizers, plant protection nets, and other vital farming equipment.

“Before the intervention, watering the land would take us three full days. Now? We can do it in just one,” Hussam explains. “And without diesel costs! That alone is a huge relief.”

The drip irrigation system delivers water directly to the roots, minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency. No more losing water to evaporation or watching it disappear in the soil before reaching the plants.

How does protection lead to production?

“Before, viruses used to wipe out entire rows of crops,” Hussam explains. “The plants wouldn’t survive long enough to bear fruit.”

Now, with the plant protection nets installed, watermelon are safe from pests and harsh weather. The nets create a microclimate that keeps diseases out and helps the plants grow stronger.

“The screen protects the crops for 40 days straight. That’s time for the watermelon to grow undisturbed,” Hussam says. “We used to rely only on urea fertilizer. Now, we use a blended fertilizer—called 20-20-10-15—which makes a big difference in the plant’s strength and yield.”