Somalia Moves to Expand Irrigation and Boost Food Security Under Jowhar Storage Project

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Federal Government of Somalia’s Agriculture and Irrigation ministry and the National Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) have agreed to accelerate the rollout of the Jowhar Offstream Storage Programme (JOSP), in a move expected to strengthen irrigation systems, improve food security, and protect communities from recurring floods along the Shabelle River.

The agreement, reached during a high-level meeting in Mogadishu between Agriculture Minister Mohamed Abdi Xayir (Maareeye) and SoDMA Commissioner Mohamud Moalim Abdulle, sets out joint plans to improve water management and expand access to irrigation for smallholder farmers in the region.

Officials said the initiative will also support the introduction of modern farming tools, training programmes, and market linkages aimed at improving livelihoods and agricultural output.

Commissioner Abdulle said the strengthened partnership between the two institutions will help reduce the economic and humanitarian toll of droughts and floods, while Minister Maareeye called the project a key step toward Somalia’s goal of food sovereignty and climate resilience.

“The Jowhar project is more than an infrastructure plan, it’s an investment in our farmers, our environment, and our future,” Maareeye said.