The Chewing of Khat (catha Edulis ) in the Horn of Africa and Arabian Peninsula: Economic Overview

Summery Khat is an evergreen shrub, which is cultivated as a bush or small tree; some oral traditions claim that khat originated from Yemen. However the literature indicates that khat originated from Ethiopia, specifically in Hararghe with a gradual expansion to different parts of Ethiopia, Yemen and other parts of the world. Chewing khat is both a social and a culture-based activity; it is said to enhance social interaction, playing a role in ceremonies such as weddings. Generally, khat is considered as a major cash crop; its cultivation is a source of economic values in societies and nations involved. However, the micro-level economic burden on the khat chewers is substantially debatable and controversial; the indirect international economic benefit is also enormous in countries where Khat is legal.