Agriculture and Food Security
Sector Overview
SONAFO supports sustainable agriculture to improve food production, householdincome, and rural livelihoods. Agriculture is essential for Somalia’s food security andeconomic development, but farmers face challenges such as drought, poor inputs, weakmarkets, pests, limited irrigation, and low technical capacity. This sector promotesclimate-smart and productive farming systems.
Key Focus Areas
- Climate-Smart Agriculture — Promoting farming practices that increaseproductivity and help farmers adapt to climate change, including drought-tolerantcrops, improved soil management, and efficient water use.
- Sustainable Crop Production — Improving cultivation methods, quality seeds,proper planting practices, pest control, and post-harvest handling.
- Agroforestry Systems — Integrating trees with crops and livestock to improve soilfertility, provide shade, reduce erosion, and diversify income.
- Renewable Energy Promotion — Advancing clean energy solutions such as solarpower and energy-efficient cooking to reduce pressure on forests and charcoal
production. - Community Climate Resilience — Helping communities prepare for climateshocks through awareness, training, early warning, and livelihood diversification.
- Soil and Water Conservation — Supporting contour farming, mulching, waterharvesting, and erosion control techniques.
- Irrigation Development — Promoting small-scale irrigation systems, water-efficient technologies, and improved water access for farmers in riverine anddryland areas.
- Farmer Capacity Building — Training farmers in improved techniques, farmmanagement, climate adaptation, input use, and market-oriented production.
- Agricultural Value Chains — Strengthening input supply, processing, storage,transportation, and market access.
- Food Security Initiatives — Reducing hunger and improving household nutritionthrough improved production, community gardens, and emergency food securityresponse.
Why It Matters (Benefits)
- Increases household income and food availability for vulnerable rural families
- Builds resilience to drought and climate variability
- Strengthens local agricultural markets and value chains
- Reduces environmental pressure through sustainable land and water use
