In Yemen, dates provide lifeline for farmers with few economic options

Hajr, Yemen – Under the scorching sun of eastern Yemen’s Hadramout region, locals – young and old – immerse themselves in the annual date harvest, working among dark mounds of freshly harvested fruit spread across stones.Farmers here in Hajr, about two hours west of Hadramout’s provincial capital of Mukalla, picked the dates about a week ago from vast palm groves nearby. They then brought them to this open ground so the dates can be dried, cleaned, and eventually sold, following traditional techniques that have endured for centuries.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3US pushes looser approach to AI regulation, while EU pushes new lawlist 2 of 3Why is piracy picking up off Somalia’s coast again?list 3 of 3Who are the economic winners and losers of the US-Israel war on Iran?end of listNabeel Ahmed and his family arrive before sunrise and head directly to their spot on the rocky ground, where their dates are spread out.“My wife, my brothers and I come here before sunrise and stay until the sun gets hot,” Nabeel tells Al Jazeera, as he runs his hands through a pile of dates and holds up a handful.Farmers and their families return every day to turn and sort the dates, removin...