Ignite Food Systems Challenge: Five Contestants Emerge Winners in Competitive Ideas Pitch on Sustainable Food Systems in Somalia
GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: IGNITE Food Systems Challenge: Five Contestants Emerge Winners in Competitive Ideas Pitch on Sustainable Food Systems in Somalia
While previous interventions on food security in Somalia belaboured on humanitarian response and support, the just concluded IGNITE Food Systems Challenge in Mogadishu took a different approach – leveraging groundbreaking ideas of young people to build sustainable food systems. Four finalists showcased their ideas in-person in Mogadishu whereas six finalists virtually joined from Hargeisa, in partnership with HarHub.
Ten finalists from a pool of 120 plus applicants pitched their ideas to a forum of experts in Mogadishu Tuesday explaining how their enterprises and start-ups are deploying practical solutions toward addressing the perennial challenge of food insecurity in the country. The finalists drawn from various parts of the country sought to convince the judges not only what they are doing in their respective endeavours in addressing food security but also their proposed business models should they win.
After a long day of panel discussions and inspiring presentation, the judges selected 5 participants- SomFarm Fresh, Raas Agribusiness Solution, Greenlife Agribusiness, Kaaliye Consulting Group, and Ruman Integrated Farm. The participants were selected for their pioneering solutions, providing locally-led approaches to tackle food system challenges in Somalia.
Kaaliye Consulting Group supports cooperatives through capacity development and seeks to transform cooperatives by offering a unique integrated approach through the Cooperative Management System (CMS). The CMS is an application which streamlines the organisation, management and running of cooperatives by ensuring efficient record-keeping, access and daily operations. In its pitch, KCG team stated that it has partnered with five Micro Finance Institutions in Somalia to support and widen access to finance. The company has also trained and supported 12 cooperatives to build their capacity. The company has since generated $200,000 in income through its operations.
Raas Agri-Business Solution also impressed the judges and was picked among the top five. It is a private company offering specialised agricultural solutions. The company, based in Mogadishu offers greenhouse construction and management, drip and sprinkler irrigation installation, landscaping, and agricultural consultancy. In its pitch, Raas said it has created 60 full-time jobs and directly supports 360 people through its range of agricultural solutions. The company aims to construct 20 greenhouses and build the skills of the selected farmers. Inspired by the mantra of humanitarian support to development, Raas will select youth from IDP camps in the Banaadir region, train them and let them work in the greenhouse farms. The company will then enter into a contract with the farms to buy the produce and help in establishing robust market linkages. Raas aims to produce up to 497 metric tonnes of vegetables. Raas is keen to ‘transform Somalia’s agricultural sector by providing climate-smart technologies through strategic partnerships, innovative models like vendor financing and focus on empowering marginalised communities.’
Ruman Integrated Organic Farm is an organic solutions company based in Arabsiyo area of Somaliland. It supports smallholder farms most of which are run by women and youth by developing their skills, and offering equipment leasing among other services. In its pitch, Ruman said it was established to address the challenges of limited technical know-how among farmers and lack of access to modern farming techniques and equipment leading to low production. To address these challenges, Ruman trains farmers on best farming practices and leases to them tractors at the cost of $20 per day. The company which has eight permanent employees is also actively involved in crop farming generating 15 metric tonnes. It aims to train and support up to 10,000 farmers.
SomFarm Fresh from Hargeisa was also among the top five winners in the IGNITE Food Systems Challenge. Established in 2016, SomFarm specializes in cold storage systems. It does sorting, packaging cooling ripening and distribution of vegetables and fruits. Currently, the company provides cold storage support to two commercial farms enabling them to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure a daily fresh supply of groceries in the market. SomFarm seeks to build more storage facilities for $1 per ton for three days in addition to the sale and distribution of fruits and vegetables.
The judges also picked Greenlife Agribusiness Ltd as one of the winners in the contest. The company offers organic farming solutions in addition to producing vegetables for sale. Informed by the need to the concern of soil degradation and high cost of inorganic fertilisers, Greenlife embarked on recycling coconut husks into cocopeat which is in turn used as a growing medium. Up to 200 farmers are currently using the medium to increase their yields.
The five winners will enter the next phase which is a 3-month accelerator designed to grow their solutions. They will receive mentorship to pilot their solutions, collaborate with end users and expand their networks.
In his opening remarks, El-Khidir Daloum, the Representative and Country Director of the World Food Program in Somalia said the IGNITE Food Systems Challenge is about identifying, supporting and empowering local Somali entrepreneurs to present their impactful, homegrown solutions to address challenges faced by the local food systems. He emphasized the importance of working together to advance these solutions, which can either be replicated or scaled up.
Speaking during the event, Dr Sadiyo Siad, the chancellor of Hano Technical University who was one of the panelists called for a replication of such initiatives to ensure more Somalis, particularly women are actively involved in providing solutions to the challenges facing the country. “We want to see these amazing initiatives in every village in Somalia. We need to see more women to come to these stages and benefit.”
Dr Hodan Osman, a Senior Advisor and National Coordinator of Human Capital Development in the Office of the Prime Minister also reflected on the same noting the Somali entrepreneurial spirit can be tapped to provide solutions to perennial food shortages in the country. “Somalis are naturally entrepreneurial. We naturally have this spirit for finding innovative solutions for the most acute problems. Our people, specifically our youth, are very resilient, strong-minded and innovative.”
“As an innovation partner of WFP Somalia, World Vision’s Somali Response Innovation Lab has been actively fostering new value propositions through promising innovations in food systems. We are proud of the space and opportunity the IGNITE Food Systems Innovation Challenge pitch event provided for the Somali people to showcase local and homegrown solutions to the food system challenges they face. It was inspiring to hear the ideas from all the participants, and we hope this is just the beginning of showcasing the innovation landscape here in Somalia,” said Utsav Kharel, Somali Response Innovation Lab (SomRIL) Lead.