Somalia is facing an ongoing food security crisis driven by long standing vulnerabilities and the growing impacts of climate change. Unpredictable seasonal rains have made it increasingly difficult for the country’s agriculture, livestock, and food production systems to thrive. Riverine farmers, in particular, face significant challenges due to their reliance on traditional farming practices that are ill-equipped to withstand extreme weather events. Among them is Salah Hassan, a father of ten children (7girls and 3 boys), and a riverine farmer from Gubataa Village in Dollow District, Gedo region.
Despite owning 8 acres of land, the impact of climate change along with financial constraints forced him to rely on menial jobs and raise a small number of goats as his source of livelihood. Like many in his community, he dreamed of harnessing his land’s potential but lacked the resources to make this a reality.
Empowering Farmers Through Sustainable Agriculture
Salah’s life took a turn when he became part of the Sustainable Agriculture Project, implemented by NAPAD with support from Trocaire and the Government of Ireland. It was during a community participatory session that he first heard about the program, and his selection was based on a criteria favouring vulnerable, low-income farmers. Through the project, Salah learned about sustainable farming practices that not only improved his livelihood but also strengthened his resilience in the face of climate change challenges, embodying the project’s mission to empower marginalized farmers towards improving their resilience and livelihoods.
Salah, along with 200 riverine farmers, benefitted from an agroecological training. The training covered topics such as soil and water conservation, soil fertility management, pest and disease control, crop-specific production practices, and agroforestry. It combined theoretical knowledge with hands-on learning through case studies, peer-to-peer learning, and interactive discussion groups. This approach equipped Salah and his peers with the skills and confidence to promote sustainable agriculture within their communities.
The power of working together as a community
With the training and farm inputs provided through the project, including drought-resistant seeds and essential farm tools, Salah joined a local farming system known as Burjiwaasi. This is a collaborative approach that involves farmers pooling resources and sharing responsibilities. The landowner provided his land, a means of irrigation by providing a diesel-powered engine that was used to water the crops and other necessary resources, while Salah and the other farmers provided the seeds and labour for the farm. They then equitably share the profits from their collective efforts in return. Together, Salah and the group cultivated capsicum, watermelon, and other crops on a 10-acre piece of land. They irrigated the farm by channelling river water through earth canals by use of the diesel-powered engine. Salah harvested 9.7 tons of capsicum, which he sold both locally and across the border market in Ethiopia, earning between $70 and $80 per day from his 1.7-acre land portion.
With a $2,000 share of the profits from the Burjiwaasi collaborative farming system, Salah has taken a significant step toward self-reliance. He reinvested in his farming by purchasing a diesel-powered generator, which will enable him to irrigate his own farm independently. This marked an important shift as Salah transitions from shared farming to cultivating his previously underutilized land. The project has also enabled Salah to meet his family’s basic needs, such as food and other essentials, significantly improving their quality of life. He has already begun preparing his land for the upcoming season and has invested in tomato seeds.
“I’m so happy that I can now provide for my family by selling the extra produce from my farm. It also feels amazing to be able to work on my own land. Thank you so much to NAPAD and Trocaire for making this possible.” Shared Salah
Building Resilience in the Face of Climate Challenges
Salah’s optimism for the success of his farming is inspiring. He envisions a sustainable livelihood for his family and aims to continue selling his farm’s produce in local and border markets. However, the road ahead is not without challenges. From December 2024 to February 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MOAI) forecasts continued dry conditions in Somalia, with below-average rainfall and extended dry spells. Rising temperatures are expected to exacerbate water stress on crops. Farmers like Salah will need to adopt efficient irrigation strategies and innovative water management practices to sustain agricultural output. NAPAD’s support remains important, and we call upon donors, partners, and other stakeholders to invest in sustainable agricultural solutions that empower riverine farmers across Somalia.