Boost for farmers in Somalia as FAO donates farm implements

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Efforts to boost food production and ensure sustainable agricultural practices got a boost Monday following the donation of an assortment of farm implements to the federal and regional governments by the Food and Agriculture Organisation ( FAO)

FAO donated four pick-up trucks, twelve motorbikes, and six tractors with farm implements to be distributed between the two levels of government in a bid to support farmers boost their productionthrough use of technonoly.

Accordinf to a statenment from FAO, the ootorbikes and pick-up trucks will be used by Ministry extension officers and technical value chain officers to ensure efficient and effective delivery of extension services to farmers and cooperative groups. While the tractors and other farm implements and inputs given to the Ministry will be used to improve access for farmers to new technology, including pre/post-harvest handling and management skills to maximize crop yields and minimize losses.

Using these vehicles, technical officers will also be able to train farmers on business strategy and planning, financial systems, process improvement, quality, pricing, price differentials, inventory, distribution, and financing to enhance their financial and farm management. “This is a timely boost that the agriculture sector needs. Our technical officers will now have the capacity to deliver on-field trainings to farmers across the region thanks to these motorbikes and pick-ups. We hope the small-scale farmers we target can benefit from our officers’ trainings and produce a better-quality yield,” said Said Hussein Iid, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation of Somalia.

Small-scale farmers will also benefit from the services of the tractors which will enable them to plough their lands while making sure that they have access to a better cultivating method that can yield a good harvest. “Agriculture is one of the backbones of the economy and we must support small-scale farmers to become increasingly self-sufficient and food secure, strengthening Somalia’s food systems in the process,” said FAO in Somalia Representative Etienne