The Somali agricultural sector 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 8.1 million hectares of fertile land suitable for agricultural production both irrigated and rainfed agriculture. The agricultural sector is the backbone of the Somali economy. It is the dominant sector of the Somalia economy and its performance is the major determinant of the overall GDP growth rate. The agricultural sector has a crucial role in ensuring food security, job creation, and income generation. Indeed, about 70% of the country's 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 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation FGS prepared many policies, including the Agricultural Cooperative Development Policy drafted by the COOP Agency in order to improve the agriculture sector with the mission of institutional capacity development and also implemented critical projects to increase agricultural production and productivity. COOP Agency has registered over 820 Agricultural Cooperatives operating in 5 regions of Somalia (Hiran, Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle, Bay, and Bakol). Those Farmers cultivate and produce different crops (vegetables and fruits). Unfortunately, they lack the skills, tools, and modern technologies to process and package for marketing their products.
The livestock sector is central to the economic and cultural life of the Somali people. The sector provides food and income to over 60% of the country’s population. Somalia’s landmass encompasses vast tracts of arable land and a variety of agroecological zones conducive to agricultural expansion. There are large areas suitable for livestock grazing, browsing, and fodder production to support the country’s growing markets and export trade. Somalia’s livestock products for consumption and export are Camel, Cattle, Sheep, and Goats. Therefore, in Somalia, there are no modern Slaughter Houses that can meet the health requirements. Livestock reared in pastoral systems also contribute significantly to the national economy and is the major source of household wealth and supplies end products that include milk, meat and hides, and skins and transport. Livestock is, nonetheless, an indispensable source of human livelihood and welfare. Productivity is low compared to improved types of livestock; nevertheless, it is widely agreed that these indigenous breeds should be promoted and conserved while enhancing the traits for meat and milk production. Livestock restocking efforts often encompass larger-scale purchases through tenders, which are commonly won by large-scale traders with the ability to source hundreds of animals from across a large geographic area in Somalia. COOP Agency has therefore organized and registered the SALTRA Union "Somali Association of Livestock Traders" which united Livestock Traders from 9 Regions.
Fishing is a highly profitable venture throughout the world. Surveys of Somali waters show that there are significant fish stocks off the coast of Somalia—these waters are in fact considered to be some of the richest fishing grounds in the region. Many profitable species live in the waters off the coast of Somalia, data supported by the Sea Around Us Project, which studies the impact of fisheries on marine ecosystems across the globe. Among the more commercially valuable fish currently landed in Somali waters through both inshore and offshore fishing are the tropical spiny lobster, swordfish, and multiple species of tuna. Miscellaneous other species are also available, and those varieties combined comprise 81% of Somalia’s annual landings by tonnage or 61% by value. Somali fishermen are among the poorest and most marginalized members of Somali society. Empowering them with greater knowledge about fishing and preservation methods and providing them with access to better equipment could significantly increase their standard of living and boost food security. If Somali fishermen were trained in better methods and were provided with simple processing facilities, they could greatly improve the profitability of their businesses. As I mentioned in the introduction of my previous posts, COOP Agency has received permission and authority from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to organize and train the Fishing Cooperatives in the country, also represent the marketing of their products, and provide them with tools to improve their products.