Mogadishu, Thursday, October 08, 2026-The Board of Directors of the Somali Agricultural Regulatory and Inspection
Services (SARIS) convened its first meeting today at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
(MoAI) in Mogadishu, and elected the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Board. The session was held in the
presence of H.E. Mohamed Abdi Hayir (Maareeye), Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, MoAI Director General,
Cooperatives, farmers, civil society members, legal experts and agribusiness organisations.
The SARIS Board of Directors is composed of 11 members drawn from all key stakeholders of the institution, including
farmers and agricultural cooperatives, registered agricultural traders, the Somali Chamber of Commerce, and the federal
ministries relevant to agrifood systems, namely agriculture and irrigation, livestock, environment and climate change,
finance, fisheries, and health.
Upon convening today with full quorum, in accordance with SARIS Law No. 32 (December 2024), the Board established
the bylaws and procedures governing the election. The oldest member was selected to preside over the election of the
Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson. The Board then successfully voted and elected Mr. Abdulkadir Hassan Warsame
as Chairperson of SARIS, and Mrs. Khairto Awees Shariif as Deputy Chairperson of SARIS.
As per the SARIS Establishment Law — Somali Agricultural Regulatory and Inspection Services (SARIS) Law No. 32
(2024) — the duties of the SARIS Board of Directors include approving the departmental structure, departmental heads,
the budget, and the institutional work plan after they are presented by the Managing Director, as well as overseeing,
supervising, and evaluating the management and performance of SARIS.
SARIS is mandated to regulate and inspect agricultural inputs and services across the Federal Republic of Somalia,
including the inspection and control of agrochemicals, pesticides and fertilizers, the testing and certification of seeds and
plant varieties, quality assurance, and pest surveillance and control safeguarding Somali crops, farmland, and consumers.
This election marks an important step in building and strengthening the governance of SARIS and in advancing the
Ministry’s agenda of establishing strong, accountable institutions that deliver quality services to Somali farmers.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation extends its congratulations to the newly elected Chairperson and Deputy
Chairperson of the SARIS Board of Directors, and wishes them success in discharging the responsibilities entrusted to
them. The Ministry further calls upon all development partners, Federal Member States, the private sector, and agricultural
stakeholders to work closely with the newly elected Board in order to strengthen the regulation, inspection, and quality
assurance of Somali agricultural services.