This study was carried out in the mountains around the town of Ibb, which is characterized by high rainfall. The data and information were collected during the autumn of 1999 from two sub-districts i.e. Shaban, south of Ibb town located about 10 km, and Alssuwaiq (Bait Enan) located about 12 km, north-west of Ibb town. The study was carried out on the natural resources, socio-economics and cropping system characteristics (the cropping pattern, crop rotation, inter-cropping and traditional practices in rained crops and cropping calendar). The study has shown that the growing period in the study area is very long extending from April to November with the rainfall period. The annual rainfall ranged during the 19 82-1992 from 700 to 1200 mm with an average of about 875mm. The cultivated crops during the growing period depend on amount of rainfall. Sorghum and Maize occupy 50.2 % and 47.7 % respectively of the cropping area during the study period. The cultivated crops, from October to March, are Radish, Potato, Tomato and Maize. Maize is harvested and marketed early as a cash crop. The cultivated area of these crops represents about 36% of the cropping area. On the other hand cultivated area by Qat crop is nearly 2% of the total cropping area.

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