In the eastern Yemeni province of Hadramout, the district of Hajr is bustling with activity as locals, young and old, engage in the annual date harvest. Under the scorching sun, they work among dark mounds of freshly harvested fruit spread across stones, following traditional techniques that have endured for centuries.

Farmers like Nabeel Ahmed and his family arrive before sunrise to sort and clean dates, preparing them for sale. "This is my sole source of income," Nabeel says, as he runs his hands through a pile of dates. The dates also serve as a food safety net for the poorest families, who may not afford fish or rice.

Hajr is a remote district with scattered communities along a valley filled with palm trees. However, years of war and neglect have taken their toll: roads are deteriorated, there is no electricity, and mobile phone services are poor. The district has also experienced cholera outbreaks due to inadequate sanitation and lack of clean water.

The date palm groves, with at least 2 million trees, are the center of Hajr's economy. For many farmers, selling dates is their only way to repay debts and sustain their families. Rashed Mohammed, a father of four, worries he won't be able to repay his debt to a local grocery shop if he doesn't sell his harvest. "I owe 1 million Yemeni riyals ($640)," he says.

Some farmers stay overnight at the drying grounds, sleeping in makeshift shelters to protect their harvest from thieves and stray dogs, and to be available if a buyer arrives at any time. "The customer can come at any time, so I sleep here," Rashed explains.

Farmers are also grappling with the aftermath of floods that destroyed a small dam crucial for irrigation. Awadh Mubarak, head of a local farmers' committee, says many farmers have abandoned agriculture due to dying palm trees and dwindling production. "Our primary demand is the reconstruction of the dam," he says, showing water flowing away from farmland.

Buyers like Omer Mohammed travel long distances to purchase Hajr dates, which are reputed to be the best in Hadramout due to their low sugar content. "If I have dates in my house, I feel food secure, even if I don't eat them," he says, highlighting the cultural and nutritional significance of dates in Yemen.

Source: www.aljazeera.com