By Goth Mohamed Goth
The Somaliland Institute of Agriculture Research (SIAR) has unveiled a comprehensive strategy plan aimed at revolutionizing the country’s agricultural sector and enhancing food security. The plan outlines ambitious goals, strategies, and action steps to address the pressing challenges faced by Somaliland’s farmers.
At the heart of SIAR’s strategy is a commitment to boosting agricultural productivity, improving livelihoods, and building resilience to climate change. The institute aims to achieve this through cutting-edge research, technology transfer, and capacity building.
Key objectives of the strategy plan include:
-Increasing crop yields through drought-resistant, short-duration, and high-yielding varieties, as well as improved agronomic practices.
-Import and evaluate new high-value crop varieties suitable for Somaliland’s diverse agro-ecological conditions.
-Reducing post-harvest losses to minimize food wastage.
-Strengthening SIAR’s research capacity through human capital development and infrastructure upgrades.
-Improving farmers’ incomes by promoting value-added agricultural products and facilitating access to credit.
-Building resilience to climate change through the adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices.
To achieve these goals, SIAR will collaborate with farmers, government agencies, research institutions, and development partners. The institute will also prioritize knowledge sharing, capacity building, and technology transfer to empower farmers and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
The strategy plan outlines a clear roadmap for the next three years (2025-2027), with specific activities, timelines, and responsible departments. It also emphasizes the importance of monitoring and evaluation to track progress and make necessary adjustments.
SIAR’s leadership expressed optimism about the plan’s potential to transform Somaliland’s agricultural sector and improve the lives of rural communities. They emphasized the institute’s commitment to working closely with farmers and other stakeholders to ensure the plan’s success.
As Somaliland strives to achieve food security and economic growth, the implementation of this strategic plan is expected to play a pivotal role in realizing the country’s agricultural potential.