Yemeni Grapes: Ancient History, Uncertain Future

Since the dawn of history, Yemen has been known as the Land of the Two Gardens, famous for the cultivation of various kinds of grapes, each with its own unique flavour, colour, and nutritional profile. Historical evidence suggests that ancient Yemenis counted the Queen of Grapes among their deities, and the grape vine was considered the tree of life, symbolizing immortality. Funded and supported by the World Bank’s International Development Association, the Yemen Emergency Crisis Response Project (YECRP) is implemented by the Social Fund for Development (SFD) and the Public Works Project (PWP) in partnership with UNDP Yemen. The US$ 411 million project provides economic stimuli in the form of large cash-for-work projects, support to small businesses, and labour-intensive repairs of socio-economic assets, benefiting vulnerable local households and communities across Yemen.