BACKGROUND OVERVIEW OF THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR IN SOMALIA

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI) of the Federal Government of Somalia is the lead institution mandated to formulate policies,
legal and regulatory frameworks, standards, strategies, and plans for the transformation of agriculture. MoAI plays a central role in enhancing
Somalia’s food systems, improving food security, livelihoods, and irrigation infrastructure, and spearheading the development of the productive
sector. The Ministry also leads national efforts to prevent and manage seasonal outbreaks of pests and diseases and responds to climate-induced
shocks such as droughts, floods, and transboundary pests like desert locusts, quelea birds, and armyworms. It has launched a range of interventions
promoting climate-smart agriculture, uptake of innovative technologies, and the expansion of agricultural and irrigation programs.
Somalia is endowed with significant natural and human resource potential for agricultural development. It possesses approximately 8.9 million
hectares of arable fertile land, vast underground water reserves estimated at 10 quadrillion liters, with an annual recharge of 12 trillion liters, and
three rivers (Shabelle, Juba, and Dawa) spanning 2,500 km. The country has an average annual rainfall of 400 mm and a long coastline, supporting
opportunities for irrigated, rainfed, and marine-based agriculture. It also has a dynamic youthful population and is recognized globally as the 7th
largest sesame producer. Agriculture including crops, livestock, and fisheries accounts for 72% of the GDP and provides over 80% of national
employment. Major crops include sesame, banana, lime, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and dates.
Despite these endowments, the sector remains underutilized. Only about 3 million hectares of the 8.9 million arable hectares are currently
cultivable, primarily due to inadequate irrigation and mechanization. Of this, approximately 2.3 million hectares are under rainfed cultivation,
while 700,000 hectares are suitable for pump or flood recession irrigation. Only a fraction of the irrigable land (less than 20% of its potential) is
currently being cultivated roughly half the pre-war levels. Two-thirds of the cultivable land lies in the fertile southern regions between and along
the Shabelle and Juba rivers, where small-scale subsistence farmers dominate production with holdings averaging 0.2 to 3.0 hectares.