(ERGO) – Pastoralist Farhan Haji Yusuf has been selling his first harvest of fruits and vegetables cultivated on his one-hectare farm in the Dudun area of central Somalia’s Mudug region.
His family of 17 is fortunate to be among 35 families, some pastoralists and some farmers, that received training on soil health, pest control, and crop rotation, as well as farming tools and seeds from local organisation Salaam Development Center (SDC) in July 2024.
Severe drought had decimated his livestock, leaving him and his family in a precarious situation. With the support of this programme, he now grows crops such as tomatoes, peppers, mangoes, and watermelons, earning $200 within just three weeks of selling his produce in Galdogob, Bursalah, and Galkayo.
“The farm has brought great benefits to me. Firstly, it benefits the community and has been a good source of livelihood for me. I use it to feed my children and support the needs of my household. I have also reinvested part of the income back into the farm,” he said.
The farm provided a reliable source of fodder for his 10 goats that survived the drought, enabling him to save on feed costs. He has begun repaying a $550 debt incurred during the drought years, clearing $100 with plans to pay the remainder from future harvests.
“Farming and livestock go hand in hand. Both have great benefits. The livestock benefit from the farm, as I grow fodder for them, and they eat the grain stalks left after the harvest. From this, I get milk, healthier animals, and extra income from selling them. Previously, I had to purchase feed from the market, but now I grow it myself.”
Farhan reflected on how farming has helped his family recover from the challenges they faced since 2018, when drought began to kill off his livestock. He now believes farming can replace his reliance on livestock and is highly beneficial.
For the past five years, Farhan’s family depended on irregular assistance from relatives in Galkayo and loans from local stores.
Also benefiting from the SDC initiative was Ahmed Jama, a farmer owning a 14-hectare farm near Galdogob. The farm was badly hit by recent drought, but with the support he received his family has relied entirely on their own produce for the past two months, with crops like carrots, lemons, tomatoes, and peppers yielding consistent income. Two market trips generated earnings of $130 and $170, allowing him to meet his family’s needs and support his children’s education.
Four of his children attend different levels of school and he now has a stable income to cover their expenses.
Jama had suffered repeated farming failures due to a lack of knowledge and equipment, experiencing losses over four consecutive planting seasons. He highlighted the advantages of modern irrigation systems, which save water and labour while maintaining soil nutrients, that have transformed his farm.
“We were using traditional methods like flood irrigation, but this was inefficient. The modern methods have helped us conserve water, reduce pests, and avoid soil erosion,” Jama explained.
He plans to expand his farm and envisions maintaining year-round production with the tools and knowledge he has gained.
Local traders have also benefited from the farming initiative. Sayid Nur Jama, a vegetable shop owner in Galdogob, says he now regularly purchases fresh produce from local farmers. The local produce is fresher and cheaper than vegetables sourced from Hiran region, which often spoils during transport.
“Customers prefer these fresh vegetables. Previously, they bought one or two kilos, but now they buy in bulk because the produce is fresh and lasts longer,” Sayid said.
He encourages local farmers to expand their farms, noting that this will enhance Mudug region’s economy and improve food security.
The SDC representative overseeing the project, Muhsin Mowlid, said they were supported by World Food Programme with the goal of providing sustainable livelihoods to families affected by drought. Before implementing the programme, assessments were conducted to identify the most vulnerable families.
“The main objective is to transform these individuals into self-reliant farmers. With proper support, they can leverage their resources to achieve food security and financial independence,” Muhsin said.
Many families in Mudug see farming as a sustainable alternative or complementary livelihood to livestock.
