About the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
The Somali Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI) is responsible for all agricultural and irrigation development programs in Somalia. The main purpose of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is to improve Somali citizens’ quality of life by providing food security and promoting sustainable development and managing agricultural resources in a sustainable manner. The Ministry seeks to establish a supportive framework for Somalis and other investors to grow the agricultural sector in a way that will improve rural households’ livelihoods, ensure a consistent supply of high-quality, inexpensive food, and protect the environment.
In recent years, the MOAI has been working to improve agricultural productivity and restore numerous primary and secondary irrigation canals. Agriculture is the primary source of income for more than half of Somalia’s population. It also provides the majority of the wage items required by non-agricultural sectors, as well as the majority of the raw materials for industry. Somalia’s economy is predominantly agrarian, accounting for roughly 65 percent of GDP and employing 65 percent of the workforce.
Welcome message from the Minister
It is my honour and pleasure to warmly welcome you the official website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation for the Federal Republic of Somalia to capitalize the outreach and visibility with regards to the ministries activities.
I would like to give your attention the recognition and prioritization of the importance of Somalias agricultural sector which is considered a major contributor to our economy to the tune of 60% of the country’s GDP and 80% of its employment and 90% of its exports. Somalia has an estimated of 8.1 million Hectares of fertile land suitable for agricultural production both irrigated and rainfed agriculture.
Agriculture sector is the backbone of the Somali economy. Agriculture is the dominant sector of the Somalia economy and its performance is the major determinant of overall GDP growth rate. The agricultural sector has a crucial role in ensuring food security, job creation, income generation, and foreign exchange earnings. Indeed, about 70% of the countrys population lives in rural areas and derives its livelihood from agriculture and related activities. The agriculture sector is the key to addressing poverty and food insecurity in Somalia.
Since 2022 the Ministry prepared many policies, laws and strategies to improve the agriculture sector with the mission for the institutional capacity development and also implemented critical projects to increase agricultural production and productivity and protect the recurrent flooding and droughts and building the resilience of the communities at local level.
The Ministry is very committed to create enabling environment and dissemination of the Ministrys information, policies, laws, strategies and projects to the public both locally and internationally to achieve the vision of the Ministry and implementation of the national priorities.
Yours Sincerely,
Hon. Ahmed Madoobe Nuunow (Ahmed Baashe)
Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation
Federal Republic of Somalia
Services
The Ministry of Agriculture has been established with a precise mandate to expedite the following functions
Development, implementation and coordination of programs in the agricultural sector;
Formulation, implementation and monitoring of agricultural legislations, regulations and policies
Improving the productivity of both irrigated and rain-fed farming systems
Improving marketing of agricultural input and output and promoting value addition
Strengthening the administrative and technical capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
Supporting agricultural research and extension services, and promoting technology delivery
Regulation and quality control of inputs, produce and products in the agricultural sector
Management and control of transboundary pests, diseases and invasive species
MINISTRY VISION
The Ministry intends to create an enabling environment for Somalis and other investors to develop the agricultural sector that will improve the livelihoods of rural households, ensure a reliable supply of quality and affordable food while sustaining the natural environment.
MINISTRY MISION
The ministry will develop and implement policies, laws and regulations through a participatory process involving agricultural stakeholders along the value chain.
