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In partnership with U.S.-based African Food Security, the initiative aims to reduce food imports, support farmers, and turn Somaliland into a regional agricultural exporter
The Ministry of Agriculture in Somaliland has started a major new project worth $100 million to help grow more food in the country. This big project is being supported and carried out by a company from the United States called African Food Security, which works in agricultural development across Africa.
This agreement was officially signed by President Abdirahman Irro. The Minister of Agriculture, Mahmoud Egeh Yusuf, and the Deputy Minister, Mukhtar Haaji Muxumed Farah, made the public announcement during a press conference.
In their official statement, the Ministry explained that African Food Security sees Somaliland as an important location for farming. They believe that if farming improves, Somaliland could one day become a strong exporter of fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural goods—especially to countries like Saudi Arabia and others in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes nations like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait.
During the announcement, President Irro said that increasing food production is one of the biggest goals of his government. He mentioned that too many people in Somaliland still suffer from hunger or lack access to enough food. Right now, most of the food eaten in Somaliland is imported from other countries, which makes it expensive and sometimes hard to get. Locally grown food is still too little to meet the needs of the population.
Several problems have made it difficult for farmers in Somaliland to grow enough food. These problems include:
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A lack of investment in the farming sector
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Not enough water due to frequent droughts
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Dry land and tough weather conditions
Because of these challenges, farming has not grown as much as it could. But officials believe that this new project will begin to solve some of these problems. They hope it will bring new ideas, better tools, and modern techniques to help farmers grow more food in a smarter way.
The Ministry said that African Food Security will not only provide money but also technical knowledge, equipment, and training to local farmers and agricultural workers. This support could lead to more jobs, better harvests, and a stronger local economy.
The project is also expected to focus on how to use water more efficiently, especially in areas where water is very limited. Using new technology for irrigation and farming could help produce more food even in dry places.
In the long term, the government hopes this partnership will help Somaliland become more self-reliant when it comes to food. Instead of depending heavily on food imports, the country could start producing more of its own food and even export some of it.
This project is one of the first major efforts by the new administration under President Irro to seriously invest in food and farming. Many citizens and farmers are hopeful that this move will bring positive change and reduce hunger across the region.
The government has promised to continue working with international partners and investors who are willing to help grow Somaliland’s agriculture sector. They believe that with the right support and planning, farming in Somaliland can become a strong pillar of the economy.
In conclusion, this $100 million agriculture project is seen as a big step toward a better future for Somaliland. It brings hope to farmers, families, and communities who have struggled with food shortages for years.