Tarim, Yemen – Farming is the lifeblood of Tarim. Nearly every family depends on the land, and when crops flourish, so does the community. Food is abundant, prices remain steady, and neighbours share in the season’s harvest. But as temperatures rise and the fields dry out, farming becomes a struggle. Prices soar and even the most basic staples slip out of reach for many families.
“Agriculture is everything here,” says Nawwaf, offering us dates from a nearby tree. He grew up with the tradition of sharing what the land provides, a way of life that has bound his community together for generations. “When you walk past a farm, the farmers invite you to taste what they have grown.”
But in recent years, that tradition has been under threat. Devastating floods have eroded its fertile lands, washing away crops and displacing farming families. Meanwhile, prolonged droughts have made recovery even harder.
Water, once the backbone of Tarim’s prosperity, has become a source of struggle. In both Tarim and neighbouring Seiyun, competition over scarce water resources has intensified due to unregulated use, rising demand, and climate change. Limited irrigation has left farmers fighting to keep their crops alive. Many have been forced to abandon farming altogether, seeking any means to support their families.