(ERGO) – In January, 25 young Somalis, previously struggling with unemployment and financial hardship, decided to join forces and launch a farming initiative in Baidoa, southern Somalia.
Despite lacking land and capital at the onset, the group has become a self-sustaining enterprise providing stable income for its members, allowing them to support their families.
Since they secured a $2,500 loan from the Somali bank IBS, their farm has yielded three profitable harvests, of tomatoes, onions, peppers, lettuce, okra, and carrots, which they sold in Baidoa. They are also growing maize, millet, beans, papaya, olives, and lemons that have yet to be harvested.
Bashir Ibrahim Hassan, 33, one of the founding members, said this venture has transformed his life. He now provides steady income for his wife and three children.
“The farm has given me more than I ever imagined. We used to have only one meal a day, but now we can afford breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day,” he told Radio Ergo.
Bashir handles tasks such as planting, harvesting, and marketing the crops, earning between $150 and $200 monthly. Before, he was doing odd construction jobs for around $3.
His poverty and struggle pushed him almost to give up, although he is glad that his friends encouraged him to join this farming initiative.
“Unemployment nearly pushed me to migrate, but now I am capable of providing for my family without having to leave home,” he said.
Hussein Yunis Salad also struggled to support his family until joining the farming group in February, making a steady $100 a month.
“We thank God for our work. We relied on donations from the people in the area and struggled with food insecurity, now, I no longer worry about where our next meal will come from,” he said.
This newfound stability has allowed him to enroll his six children in school and to move his family from a makeshift shelter in the Bula-fiin IDP camp to a two-room house. With $200 saved over the past months, he plans to start a business of his own in the future.
This cooperative, known as Hanano 2, currently leases a 15-hectare plot for $100 per month. Led by Mohamed Ibrahim Ahmed, the group is no longer limited to rain-fed farming, as UNICEF has drilled a borehole in the area that they can use for year-round irrigation.
Mohamed noted that they spotted a market gap in Baidoa for fresh produce, leading them to pursue farming seriously.
“When we first started, we didn’t expect such success, but now we share responsibilities, handle all farm tasks ourselves, and distribute profits equally,” he said.
He emphasised the economic potential in farming, suggesting that such ventures could significantly reduce unemployment if young people unified their efforts.
Since their farm has yielded earnings of up to $3,000 in a single harvest, Mohamed believes Somalia’s youth could thrive by focusing on agriculture.
“My message to young Somalis listening to Radio Ergo is that you can create your own opportunity. Land is essential. Every developed country has relied on agriculture to some extent. If young people focused on farming, both the nation and individuals would prosper,” he said.
The group recently repaid their initial loan with profits from their harvest, demonstrating their financial independence and commitment to growth.
Despite Somalia’s high unemployment rate, challenges with investment opportunities, and instability, this youth group’s story highlights that community-driven agricultural initiatives can yield sustainable solutions to economic hardship and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs.
