Yemen: Precious Water Resources Diverted to Khat Cultivation

Yemen’s khat habit soaks up water

Alex Kirby (BBC News)

Sitting high up in the rocky mountains of northern Yemen, the country’s capital Sanaa is finding that its dwindling water supply may not be able to sustain the ancient settlement…

This is because a significant amount of the available water in Yemen goes to the cultivation of khat, the leaves of which can produce a feeling of euphoria when chewed.

[K]hat is having a baleful effect on Yemen. Of the country’s scarce water, 40% goes on irrigating khat – and khat cultivation is increasing by 10% to 15% a year…

The city of Sanaa is 2500 years old; climatic changes and a growing population may eventually render the city uninhabitable due to lack of potable water.