What is Qat? Qat is a leafy recreational drug that has been widely grown and used in Yemen for centuries. It is a mild stimulant whose effects are closely related to those o f amphetamines. While users can become psychologically dependant on it, it is not considered an addictive drug. In recent years, rapidly-growing production and use have led to an intensified debate over qat and its effects on Yemeni society.

Qat and Society. Until the 1960 qat chewing was an occasional pastime for the elite. Now, it i s chewed several days a week by a large share o f Yemen’s population. The big change seems to have been in the 1970s and 1980s due to a rapid increase in incomes, the increased profitability of production for farmers; the introduction of tubewells; the rapid improvements in the rural and main road networks, and the increased leisure-time o f those who returned from working overseas.

Qat chewing is a deeply engrained custom. It has replaced almost all other forms of relaxation and socialising. Its place in society extends far beyond that of recreational drug use-the role of the qat party in Yemeni life has been variously described as: an emblem of social interaction; a group communion; a manifestation of commitment and conformity; a display o f reciprocity; an opportunity for conspicuous consumption; and a venue for social competition (Ward 2000).

Qat and the Economy. Qat plays a major role in the Yemeni economy. Qat’s contribution to GDP of around 6 percent (2005), including both its direct and indirect effects, is equivalent to two-thirds of the contribution the oil makes to the economy. One in every seven working Yemeni are employed in producing and distributing qat, making it the second largest source of employment in the country, exceeding even employment in the public sector. The distribution network for Qat is undoubtedly the most advanced in the nation.

Yemen’s population of 21 million is predominantly rural (73 per cent) and qat is the single most important cash crop. As a crop, qat is much appreciated for its high profitability, its hardiness and drought resistance, and the few husbandry problems associated with it. Farmers also like the fact that qat can be brought to harvest during most months of the year, that it can be harvested in small or large quantities according to the farmer’s need for money, and that it brings cash in on the very day of harvest.

Qat is predominately grown by smallholders and the bulk of the revenues generated are retained in countryside. Qat represents only 10 percent of cultivated land but generates around a third of agricultural GDP. Nearly one-third o f the agricultural labor force is engaged in qat production. It is exclusively cultivated in the highlands and in the eastern plateau. Recent studies show that qat is 10 to 20 times more profitable than competing crops (Ward 2000).

Qat and Poverty. Yemen is a large, poor country. In 2005, gross national income was estimated at $600 per capita (Atlas methodology) and around 35 percent o f the people were
estimated to live in poverty (per 2005 Household Budget Survey estimates).