Yemen

Potato cultivation in Yemen is centered in highland and mid-altitude regions, where elevation and climate influence production. In North Yemen, areas like Ibb, Sana'a, Dhamar, and Al-Baydah (1,600–2,500 masl) are key producers, with Ibb alone contributing over half the national output due to its favorable climate. Potatoes are rainfed with supplemental irrigation in highlands and fully irrigated in mid-altitudes (1,000–1,600 masl). In South Yemen, cultivation above 1,000 masl is common, especially in Abyan, Shabowa, Hadramout, and Lahej.

Planting seasons vary by region, with North Yemen supporting year-round cultivation, particularly in March/April and July, while South Yemen focuses on winter cropping at lower elevations. Common varieties include drought-tolerant local types like Misr and Egyptian, and high-yielding imports such as Diamant and Desiree. Fertilizers, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, are widely used.

Seed production is supported by the Seed Potato Production Center (SPPC) in the north, which imports 100 tons of basic seed and produces 2,000 tons of certified seed annually. In the south, the National Programme for Seed Multiplication (NPSM) imports 300–400 tons of basic seed for multiplication. Traditional seed practices still exist, especially in the highlands. 

According to FAO 2023 data, Yemen produced 301,746 tons of potatoes from 17,534 hectares, with an average yield of 17,209 kg/ha.

Potatoes were introduced to North Yemen (Yemen Arab Republic) during the 19th century, initially cultivated in the Taiz-Ibb region and gradually spreading to highland areas between 1,000 and 2,800 meters above sea level. By the 1960s, the crop was well established. In 1980, the government established the Seed Potato Production Center (SPPC) to manage seed potato importation, multiplication, and distribution. From 1984 to 1986, production increased steadily with 5,600 hectares yielding 68,320 tons in 1984, 6,200 hectares yielding 76,880 tons in 1985, and 7,000 hectares producing 87,500 tons in 1986, though earlier government figures were likely inflated.

In South Yemen (People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen), the timeline of potato introduction is unclear, but cultivation began in the 1950s at the Al Kode research station under British rule. Farmers in nearby highlands adopted the crop for local use, and in 1974, the National Programme for Potato Production was launched to support research and extension. Following independence in 1967, potato production expanded dramatically—from 400 tons in 1969 to about 20,000 tons in 1984, making it the second most important food crop in the country, prized for its high yield in a nation with scarce arable land.