Somalia Approves Drafts of 12 Strategies for Improving Agricultural and Livestock Value Chains

Mogadishu – The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation of the Federal Government of Somalia and the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range held a National Conference in Mogadishu for the Approval of Value Chain Development Strategies, during which the drafts of 12 strategies supported by the Food Systems Resilience Project in Somalia (FSRP), funded by the World Bank, were discussed and approved.

The conference was officially opened by the Acting Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Dr. Aamir, while the Director General of the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range, Dr. Guuleed, delivered the conference speech.

The purpose of the meeting was to deeply analyze the 12 strategies and to consult on their approval. During the conference, the importance of developing value chains in Somalia's food systems, enhancing market competitiveness, and improving the livelihoods of producers was also discussed.

Participants engaged in extensive discussions on the points of the strategies, exchanging questions and suggestions regarding how to improve agricultural and livestock production and strengthen marketing opportunities.

During the conference, participants agreed on the recommendations made by the teams working on the strategies. The drafts of the strategies were approved, with the condition that the agreed amendments would be incorporated. Additionally, the next steps, responsibilities, and timeline for finalizing the strategies were established.

This meeting is part of the efforts of the two ministries to strengthen agricultural and livestock value chains, increase production, improve products, and expand marketing opportunities both domestically and internationally.

Finally, the two directors general jointly thanked all the participants of the meeting, which included representatives from both levels of government, experts, farmers, and businesspeople. They also emphasized the government's commitment to strengthening cooperation aimed at developing agriculture and livestock in the country.