http://www.english.hadhramaut.info PM opens 2nd International Conference on Coffee [The Source: SANA'A/hadhramaut.info/sabanews.net - 13/12/2010] Prime Minister Ali Mujawar confirmed on Monday that the government put the coffee on top of its priorities and options to improve its income sources Opening the second International Conference on Coffee, Mujawar said that the government has paid great attention to the cultivation of coffee and encouraged that despite many challenges, particularly water scarcity and the farmers' turning to crops of instant profitability. "We, in Yemen, will continue to look at the coffee as the national tree that retains the cultural and historical symbolism", he added. He pointed out that as the Yemeni coffee has attracted the world's attention in the contemporary history, it is also today worthy of the same attention because of its quality which can compete in the global markets. Mujawar noted that the Yemeni farmer has been characterized by his skills in dealing with the tree of coffee, especially in the various stages of coffee cultivation and harvesting."Our priority in this stage is the expansion of coffee growing in places that are an ideal environment for the its cultivation in Yemen", the premier said, adding " We are looking forward to the conference's recommendations for the development of suitable programs and polices to raise the cultivation and industry of Yemeni coffee in accordance with the best international practices in this field." He expressed the hope that this conference will be an important opportunity to exchange experiences in the cultivation of coffee and research in its promising economic prospects...