Promoting the production and marketing of agricultural products in Somalia

Context

The progressive influence of climate change is particularly tangible in the arid and semi-arid areas of Somalia. Extreme events that have taken place over the last ten years include drought, heavy rainfall and plagues of locusts.

As a result, agricultural production is at a very low level and nowhere near covers demand in the country. Opportunities to produce and market local fruit and vegetables must be improved.

Objective

Production and marketing systems for selected high-quality agricultural products have improved. Regulations and infrastructure have been introduced for quality assurance.

Approach

The project regions include Odwayne District, Daadmadhedh Region in Somaliland and Burtinle District, Nugaal Region in Puntland as well as quality assurance institutions in Mogadishu and Hargeisa. The project is improving the production systems in Odwayne and Burtinle by means of:

• Introduction of good farming practice
• Integrated pest management (IPM)
• Introduction of suitable seeds
• Minimisation of post-harvest losses

The project trains employees of the Ministries of Agriculture in these areas and they, in turn, hold practice-based training courses for producers. Also, the project supports demonstration farms and farmer-farmer advisory approaches.

Advisory services are also provided to producer groups on how to adapt to market circumstances and quality standards.

The project is primarily aimed at women and young people. As women in the project regions are traditionally not involved in agricultural production, efforts are made to introduce them to fruit and vegetable growing. This is done by forming women's groups, which then keep the income earned.

Women’s day-to-day working lives have already been improved through the procurement of energy-saving ovens and higher-quality pruning shears that reduce the physical effort required for fruit growing and the strenuous task of collecting wood for cooking.

The project works closely with regional and district state structures. Through (on-the-job) training, government employees improve their skills on how to communicate about agricultural topics in a practice-oriented manner.

Marketing efforts are bolstered through institutional capacity development measures and the infrastructure for quality assurance at the responsible authorities receives targeted support at national level.

Last update: June 2023