As you drive into the valley of Arabsiyo, you are struck by how baron the land has become. Somaliland’s prolonged drought, which has left the country without rain for four months, has taken its toll on the once vegetated landscape. Triggered by the effects of the El-Nino phenomenon the drought has affected more than 240,000 people[1]. Affecting, Marrodi-Jeh and Gabiley regions the most, the drought is hitting traditionally agro-pastoralists and Pastoralists the hardest. These regions are known as the food basket of Somaliland, and so the droughts impact are far-reaching throughout the whole of Somaliland.
Global One began its journey to visit its partner’s farm through the arid lands of Arabisyo, but as the farm came into sight it stood in stark contrast to its surroundings. The farming land was luscious, filled with a variety of crops; from herbs to fruit trees. To see such an abundance of vegetation in such harsh conditions was truly remarkable. Aqua Gardens for Africa (AGA) is the creator of this farm, in the middle of a desert. Utilising aquaponics and permaculture, AGA has changed the face of farming in Somaliland. AGA has provided a positive change in agriculture by implementing sustainable farming concepts which safeguards water supplies and the environment. The results have been extraordinary, with the farms abundance of crops evident of its successes.
Somaliland imports the vast majority of its foods. In 2010, Somaliland imported 11,094 tons of fresh vegetables and 4,411 tons of fruits from Ethiopia to fill the gap in local demand[2]. As part of its national strategy Somaliland aims to implement food self-sufficiency and self-reliance by 2030, by ensuring that domestic production is improved. However, climate conditions and the prolonged drought have made this vision difficult. The move from traditional farming techniques to genetically modified organism (GMO) farming from most farmers in Somaliland, has added to the issues in domestic production, with the vast majority of farms being unable to reuse GMO seeds for new harvests.
AGA understands these issues, and has the scientific knowledge to reverse their impact. Through aquaponics and permaculture AGA has revitalised its farming land and utilised the minimal amount of water to produce an abundance of crops. By implementing organic practices, AGA has ensured that seeds can be rotated and stored for future purposes, reducing the costs and risks involved with farming. And finally, it has grown a variety of crops, from those traditional in the Somaliland diet and those not, to ensure that domestic production can support food insecurity but also export to international markets.
Bridging AGAs successes and GOs own, a GO and AGA partnership aims to bring an agricultural project with a difference to Somaliland. GOs Islamic-Farming project follows similar techniques, by diversifying crops and implementing a sustainable water system. GOs pilot project in Garissa, Kenya has increased the yield of farmers by 49%. By implementing a faith based approach, alongside agricultural techniques, the programme has illustrated to farmers the benefits of water sustainability and bio-diversification through the Prophet’s (PBUH) word. Building upon AGA and GOs successes the partnership will merge AGAs modern scientific agricultural techniques with GOs sustainable and faith based approach, to bring organic-Islamic farming to Somaliland.
As the day came to an end we were gifted with a lunch made from the farms own organic produce. The array of dishes evidenced the positive impact organic-Islamic farming could have on the local community, by restoring a once abundant land of its ability to farm. The Organic-Islamic farming partnership will sow the seeds to ensure domestic production can improve food securitisation.
[1] http://www.actionaid.org/somaliland/2016/01/somaliland-drought-update
[2] http://slministryofplanning.org/images/Reports/Somaliland%20Food%20and%20Water%20Security%20Strategy.pdf
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