Improving Nutrition on Socotra [Archives:2006/995/Local News]

SOCOTRA, Oct. 30 ) The second phase of the Improving Nutrition Project in Socotra Island has begun, and a number of nurseries will be established to produce various kinds of vegetables. The project also aims to train the locals of Socotra on using domestic manure, cultivating the soil and teach about seeds that should be grow well on the island.

The project, moreover, aims to renew planting grains in the island, namely millet, which used to be grown hundreds years ago.

The head of the project, Yousof Brosher, recently arrived Socotra and said the first phase began in 2004, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Water and Environment. Five nurseries have been established since the start of the project to produce vegetable seedlings in various areas of the island, he added.

Each nursery is provided with a water tank, a store and training room. An agricultural training center is under construction and financed by the project in the east of Hodaibu, the capital city of the island.

Brosher further noted the project will be renewed and supported by the French Embassy in Sana'a as well as Triangle Organization.

Locals are interested in the project as they donate some land pieces for establishing different vegetable nurseries.

The plan is to diversify Socotra's crops because there is fertilized land, but only dates are found, while grains are no longer planted.

The project is funded by Socotra Conservation and Development Program in addition to Triangle Organization.
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