The last time it heavily rained in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, was in August last year. But water experts say Sanaa is in a doom spiral. It receives only 20 cm of precipitation annually, but the culprit is also man-made. An ancient dam and an irrigation system that once drained water to the Sanaa plain, bordered by cliffs and mountains with wadis coming down from them, has fallen into despair. This infrastructure brought water into the city for most of its history. The natural aquifer Tawilah — recharged by these wadis and rainfall — is almost exhausted by illegal wells. Sanaa could be the first national capital in the world to deplete its water supply — in 5 years altogether.
Water scarcity has compounded food insecurity in Yemen. Agriculture uses around 90% of the country’s water resources. About half of that water is used to cultivate the water-intensive and leafy stimulant known as qat.
Since the civil war escalated in 2015, the economy has contracted by half, with more than 80 percent of the population now living below the poverty line. Yemenis cannot afford to buy food due to falling incomes and rising prices, mainly imported food, as the dry country cannot produce enough. However, two residents in Sanaa are throwing their fellow citizens a lifeline, challenging conventional agricultural practices.
Four years ago, as the World Food Programme projected that more than 400,000 Yemeni children under 5 years old could die from acute malnutrition before the end of the year, Shaima Fouad and her colleague, Sharaf Al-Najjar launched their rescue plan: a fully operational hydroponic rooftop farm, the first of its kind in the capital, to promote self-sufficiency in vegetable production and save Sanaa’s residents from the escalating food insecurity in Yemen. The pair started by growing leafy greens on a one-square-meter plot with 32 plants on Al-Najjar’s home’s rooftop in the Hadda neighborhood in Sanaa.
Over these four years, Al-Najjar’s rooftop became the site of an experimental hydroponic farm, proving that their small-scale system could yield tangible results. Together, they have cultivated 27 varieties of local and rare species seldom seen in the region, including leaf vegetables, cucumber, peppers, tomatoes, and herbs.
Their efforts took a significant turn when a friend in Saudi Arabia shared invaluable advice with Al-Najjar. He provided practical tips on hydroponics and rooftop urban farming, helping them adapt these methods to Yemen’s unique conditions, including Sana’a’s harsh winter climate.
“Our setup used 90 percent less water than traditional agriculture, providing enough produce for both of our families while generating a surplus for sale,” Fouad tells The Urban Activist.
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Fouad and Al-Najjar’s urban farming has inspired hope among financially challenged youth in Yemen who grapple with food insecurity. News of their initiative spread widely on social media, capturing significant attention. The project’s success prompted the duo to offer consultations and training sessions on hydroponic farming techniques, empowering other urban farmers across Sanaa and other Yemeni cities.
Agricultural expert Mohammed Al-Haitham from the Social Fund for Development in Sanaa believes rooftop hydroponics is a viable solution, especially for those with spacious rooftops or yards. He highlights the need for basic setups, including a water tank, pipes, a small pump, and nutrient-rich water, particularly for leafy greens. “These modest systems could address urban hunger if scaled effectively,” he tells The Urban Activist.
Journalist Bilal Al-Sabri, who tried rooftop strawberry farming in Taiz — over 250 km south of Sanaa— reported initial success despite high greenhouse construction costs. His premium-quality strawberries exceeded imported products in taste according to consumers, but faced challenges due to limited yields and rising expenses.
“Fouad and Al-Najjar’s experience was truly inspiring for me and many young people in Yemeni provinces. It showed us that creative and innovative projects focused on sustainable economic empowerment can be possible,” says Al-Sabri. “Despite the obstacles we faced, our belief in the idea and its value for both our livelihoods and Yemeni society kept us motivated to push forward, overcome challenges, and achieve our goals.”
“We did not have anyone to guide us. I had to learn through online resources,” reckons Fouad, as they started their first urban farm. However, their backgrounds in business and accounting helped them create detailed feasibility studies. Yet, even with strategic planning, operational sustainability proved elusive in an environment fraught with economic instability. Other urban farmers attempting rooftop projects face similar challenges, as fundamental infrastructure limitations often derail ambitious plans.
“A greenhouse setup costs between $15,000 and $18,000,” Fouad notes. “That’s beyond the reach of most individuals.” In 2023, Al-Najjar had to pause operations due to financial constraints. His losses at their height had amounted to approximately $17,000, forcing him to sell his car and deplete his savings. Fouad also had to step back too.
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In early 2024, Al-Najjar resumed the rooftop farm after securing funding and began overseeing a new greenhouse project named “Waraqet Raihan” (“Basil Leaf” in English) designed to provide food to an average family of eight to 10 members.
“Our project is focused on creating hydroponic farming units in urban areas,” says Al-Najjar. “We utilize vacant spaces on rooftops and in schools to promote partial self-sufficiency, job creation, and access to fresh, pesticide-free vegetables. At the same time, we’re able to conserve up to 90 percent of water compared to traditional farming methods.”
He further explains that “Waraqet Raihan” aims to empower families through small-scale hydroponic urban farming systems, offering “training on crop care and water-based planting methods under the guidance of agricultural experts.”
Today, there are 11 active rooftop farms in Sanaa, all inspired by the work of Fouad and Al-Najjar. Economic and environmental expert Mohammed Al-Hakimi, head of the Green Dream platform in Yemen, describes rooftop hydroponic farming as “a sustainable and economically empowering project.” However, he emphasizes that long-term success requires proper training, government support, and backing from organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
“The approach has the potential to transform urban agriculture,” states expert Al-Hakimi. “Neglecting these systems could result in unrealized potential” to tackle food insecurity in Yemen.
Agricultural expert Mohammed Al-Haitham agrees that rooftop hydroponic farming offers advantages such as controlled environments, water conservation, reduced plant diseases, and higher productivity, making it ideal for areas with limited farmland. However, turning this potential into practice on a broader scale remains a challenge. Frequent power outages and the lack of institutional support hindered productivity, impacting their output and income.
“Without genuine support and investment, these promising ventures risk fading away. Yet, their vision, bringing green innovation to urban spaces in one of the world’s most challenging contexts, continues to inspire hope for a more self-sufficient future,” he adds.
This article is published in collaboration with Egab.
