Somalia, IFAD Discuss Livestock Investment, Water and Drought Resilience

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have discussed plans to strengthen support for the country’s livestock sector and improve the resilience of pastoral communities facing drought, floods and climate change.

The discussions took place in Mogadishu between the Director General of Somalia’s Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range, Dr. Guuleed Abdijalil, and the newly appointed IFAD Representative to Somalia, Thoodan Abdulkarim.

The two sides focused on improving livestock health and production, restoring and managing rangelands and expanding access to water for both pastoral communities and their animals.

They also discussed developing livestock value chains, expanding domestic and international markets and strengthening trade opportunities for Somali livestock producers.

Support for women and young people involved in livestock production was another area of discussion, with the two sides looking at ways to create more economic opportunities in rural communities.

Somalia’s economy and livelihoods remain heavily dependent on livestock, particularly among pastoral and agro-pastoral communities. But recurrent droughts, floods, livestock diseases and the effects of a changing climate have placed increasing pressure on pastoral livelihoods.

The government has therefore been seeking greater investment in livestock health, water infrastructure, rangeland management and market access to make the sector more productive and resilient.

The ministry said stronger cooperation with IFAD would help mobilise sustainable financing and develop projects aligned with the priorities of pastoral communities.

The discussions come as Somalia continues efforts to strengthen its agricultural and livestock sectors as key sources of livelihoods, food security and economic activity, while seeking to reduce the vulnerability of rural communities to climate-related shocks.