“Qat Time” in Yemen
DEVELOPMENTS
An ongoing war in the north, a separatist rebellion in the south, and a revolution stirring in the capital-center may not measure up to the imminent catastrophe that lays ahead for Yemen: water extinction. In the coming century, Yemen’s water shortage will overshadow any of the challenges it faces politically or socio-economically. What is even more startling about this crisis is the main catalyst behind it.
Qat, a U.S. government-classified drug that contains amphetamine-like stimulants, is a crop that has become embedded in nearly every aspect of Yemeni life. Originally brought over from East Africa – specifically, Ethiopia and Kenya – qat is chewed for hours on end, producing euphoric and lethargic effects.
The profits generated by qat’s production and trade have gripped Yemen’s economy and sustained the livelihood of thousands. The secondary effects of qat’s cultivation, however, have had severe consequences on the country’s resources, notably consuming up its scarce clean, water supply. Qat requires as much as five times more water to cultivate than equally large grape fields that used to grow in its place.
This is unwelcome news for Yemen, the poorest country in the Middle East. According to the World Bank, the nation’s capital, Sana’a, will run out of groundwater in approximately six years, mainly due to the vast amount of water required to sustain demand for the plant.
BACKGROUND
Government attempts to root out qat trees and replace them with fruit and vegetable farms date back to the early 1970s; the plant, however, has survived – and indeed, thrived – despite all such eradication attempts, thanks largely to its powerful supporters. It is endorsed by politicians and tribal leaders across the country. In fact, many prominent sheikhs, tribal heads, and political figures actually own qat farms, and they amass large sums of wealth from this profitable business.
Qat cultivation is so profitable because it is consumed widely across Yemen. Women and men of all ages – and sometimes children – are accustomed to chewing qat on a daily basis, in addition to special occasions, such as weddings. Organized qat sessions are celebrated, and are the center of common business, political, and social dealings. To today’s Yemenis, chewing qat is a treasured pastime.
Yemen’s rampant consumption of qat, however, has affected labor productivity and work habits, as Yemenis often cut their work hours short in order to go home to chew qat. Indeed, qat plays a significant role in the country’s 65 percent unemployment rate and nearly 50 percent poverty rate. The money spent on qat has effectively bankrupted some Yemeni families, who continue to buy this addictive plant despite economic hardships.
In addition, the poor cultivation methods practiced by qat farmers have caused serious health problems. The toxic and unregulated pesticides that are used on many qat farms perpetuate health complications, such as mouth cancer. This, in turn, has put pressure on Yemen’s already weak and often exhausted medical institutions.
Perhaps the most devastating effect of qat on Yemen, however, is its environmental impact. Last year, the Yemeni Minister of Water and Environment stated that qat cultivation requires up to 40 percent of the country’s agriculture water. Conservationists, however, estimate the actual figure to be nearly 60 percent. At this pace, according to the World Bank, Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, will run out of groundwater by about 2017.
Earlier this month, drastic measures were taken by the Yemeni government to reduce qat consumption and cultivation. Qat taxes have been raised to 200 percent, and public chewing was made illegal. However, in a predominantly lawless state ruled by weak leadership currently shackled by ongoing wars, rebellions, and revolution, experts are skeptical of the government’s ability to actually implement the law.
Even if it possessed the ability, the government would still face enormous difficulties in reversing qat’s entrenched position in Yemeni society. Perhaps the best example of qat’s widespread popularity is its role in the developing revolution. As thousands of Yemenis rise up, demanding an end to President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 32-year rule, many protesters are cutting their demonstration time short to go home for “Qat Time.” Indeed, Yemen experienced a similar phenomenon during its civil war, where soldiers from the rivaling north and south took official breaks from fighting in the afternoon to chew qat.
ANALYSIS
Qat has become a basic cultural necessity for Yemenis. As apple pie is American, chewing qat is Yemeni. Qat consumption has gained broad acceptance in Yemen, and Yemenis insist that it is no different than drinking coffee. Indeed, some Yemenis are offended when outsiders describe qat as a drug, and equate criticisms of qat to attacks on Yemeni culture itself.
Qat’s penetration of Yemeni culture, however, serves only to harm the country. As long as qat cultivation is emphasized over other, more essential forms of agriculture, and produces significantly more profits for cultivators and traders, the country will continue to head down this catastrophic path.
Given the international community’s focus on uprooting al Qaeda’s operations in Yemen, there has been little international effort to help the Yemeni government address this problem. The longer the international community overlooks this issue, however, the more devastating the immediate and long-term consequences will be. The problems of water extinction, heavy drug-dependence, low quality of labor and productivity, and high disease rate will only get worse, and will inevitably be a catalyst for greater political instability and other socio-economic problems.
In a country with rampant poverty and unemployment, qat is one of the only constant sources of entertainment for Yemenis. However, the environmental, social, and economical realities on the ground ensure that the qat lifestyle in Yemen is not sustainable. Yemenis will soon have to make a choice: qat or water.
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Haysam Fahmy is a Digital Strategist for OgilvyOne Hong Kong, and holds a master’s degree from Georgetown University in Public Relations & Corporate Communications. Mr. Fahmy lived in Yemen from 2006 to 2008.
