Wheat or qat! [Archives:2008/1133/Opinion]
By: Watheq Shadhili
I don't know why we claim that the relevant government authorities should fight qat production, trade and consumption and encourage the cultivation of wheat and other useful agricultural crops while, in the meantime, we don't support any farmers planning to quit qat cultivation and start growing other crops. Also, how farmers can stop growing qat trees and at the same time we are opening new markets for qat trade in different parts of the nation.
Despite some government officials' efforts, symposiums and workshops, and awareness campaigns that targeted farmers over the past two years, which are all aimed at encouraging wheat cultivation and increasing its production, the total area of qat cultivation increased from 126,274 hectares in 2006 up to 141,146 hectares in 2007. The number of qat consumers rose up to 4 million, however, I think that the real number is more than this figure.
Why is this failure and until when will it continue? I think that the primary reasons behind the problem are clear and known to everyone. Any farmer, planning to cease qat cultivation and grow other crops, will face multiple financial difficulties. The situation also applies for non-qat producers or junior farmers who want to begin their agricultural career with growing useful crops other than qat.
Praise is not enough to encourage farmers stop growing qat and move toward other useful crops such as cotton, coffee and wheat because they still need the necessary capitals via easy loans with very low interests. In addition, the concerned government agencies should provide these farmers with agricultural machineries, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, plus agricultural experts' appropriate guidance to brief simple farmers on the best means that help boost useful crops production.
The relevant government agencies are also required to help producers in marketing and selling their products in the local markets in lieu of leaving them working alone without even the minimum guidance.
In late 2006 and early 2007, many farmers have shown a strong desire to quit qat production and grow other useful crops. Moreover, various local newspapers published news stories and photos for a farmer from Dhamar and another from Ibb, who pulled up qat trees from their lands with the intention to grow other useful crops instead. So, what did we actually do for both farmers? I hope that am holding a key post in the government so that I can order officials in charge of agriculture, irrigation, banks, transportation, storage and marketing to do all what they can in order to facilitate farmers' task and encourage them produce top quality crops.
Had a single farmer or a group of farmers succeeded in replacing qat trees by other useful crops, we would have found out that the number of farmers ceasing qat cultivating and growing other crops instead would continue to increase.
The Hodeida Economic Corporation General Manager revealed during a conversation with Elaf weekly that his corporation had approved YR 300 million for purchasing tomato products from farmers in the governorate with good prices in order to encourage these farmers continue producing the product. This is a positive step, but all the relevant government agencies are advised to take more positive steps that may help foster tomato and other crops production nationwide.
With regard to opening new markets for qat trade, we have learned that the local councils prevented entry of qat into the Soccotra Island and one of the Mahra governorate's districts, as well as restricted entry of the product to Hadramout by two days a week. When qat consumers spend 60 percent of their income on purchasing such a narcotic substance, the remaining portion of the income will not suffice to cover all the necessities of the family members.
Qat and the Central Nervous System
The leaves of the qat plant contain alkaloids structurally related to amphetamine and they are currently chewed daily by a high proportion of the adult population in Yemen for the resulting pleasant mild stimulant action. The pleasurable central stimulant properties of qat are commonly believed to improve work capacity, are used on journeys and by students preparing for examinations and to counteract fatigue. In recent years as a result of air transport, the consumption of fresh qat leaves has expanded considerably and qat is readily and legally available in the UK.
The effect that accounts for the popularity of qat is its central nervous system stimulation, believed to be induced by cathinone, an active ingredient of qat leaves. (1) Cathinone has a more rapid and intense action compared with cathine due to its higher lipid solubility which facilitates access into the central nervous system. Several studies showed that the psycho-stimulant effects induced by chewing qat include a moderate degree of euphoria and mild excitement resulting in promotion of social interaction and loquacity. While attaining a subjective state of well being, the chewers feel an increase in alertness and energy together with enhanced depth of perception. These effects were found to be a maximum between 1.5 – 3.5 hours after starting to chew and they were progressively replaced by mild dysphoria, anxiety, reactive depression, insomnia and anorexia (loss of appetite)
Early clinical observations had suggested that qat has amphetamine-like properties, and subsequent chemical analysis confirmed that the fresh leaves contain alkaloids such as cathine and cathinone, the latter being structurally related and pharmacologically similar to amphetamine (1). Qat leaves also contain considerable amounts of tannins (7-14 percent in dried material), vitamins, minerals and flavonoids. Cathinone is currently believed to be the main active ingredient in fresh qat leaves.
Supporters of qat-chewing claim it is useful in diabetic patients since it is said to lower the blood glucose, acts as a remedy for asthma, and eases symptoms of intestinal tract disorders. Opponents claim that qat damages health and affects many aspects of life with adverse social, economic and medical consequences. In Yemen this has become a problem of grave national concern and we have reviewed the evidence for an adverse health impact.
In conclusion, the relevant government officials don't consider voices advocating that qat trade be restricted under the pretext that there is no law to ban entry of the product into the main cities. What is the duty of local councilors, who got elected by people to voice their concerns and address their pressing issues? We need the concerned authorities in the government to enact a law banning qat entry into the main cities, and as a result, production of such a narcotic substance may decrease.
Source: As Seyassia Daily.
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