This paper describes current groundwater use in
Yemen. It focuses on two aspects: local management
of groundwater by farmers themselves and the link
between local management and the 2002 Water Law
and other legislation. With respect to groundwater
security the paper particularly asks the question: who is
accountable to whom?
The development of groundwater use in Yemen has
been rapid and unprecedented in time and place.
According to Al-Eryani et al (2011) groundwaterirrigated
agriculture increased from 37,000 ha in
1970 to 400,000 ha in 2005. This is the equivalent
of a third of the national cropped area. Most of this is
under high value crops: fruit, vegetables and qat, often
mixed with timber and firewoodtrees. The groundwater
boom has kept the rural economy vibrant. Agricultural
employment increased by 25% between 1970 - 1996.
whereas agricultural net value of output quadrupled
(Al-Eryani et al. 2011).