By M.A. Egge
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro held a meeting at the Presidency with the top officials of the Pharo Foundation, an organization that works on human development issues, especially in the fields of education, health, agriculture, water and environment.
The Pharo Foundation is headquartered in the United Kingdom, and has operational centers in Somaliland, Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda.
The Pharo Foundation was represented at the meeting by Guillaume Fonkenell and Farah Jirde (founders), Tom Mason CEO, Mohamed Muse Elmi Country Director, Mohamed Farah Pharo Ventures technical advisor, Khalid Esa, Head of Pharo Ventures.
The overall objective of the meeting was centered on ways and means of both parties to collaborate further in financing and implementing agricultural production in the country and enhancing food security.
The President welcomed the meeting with the Pharo Foundation leaders and told them that the government is committed to working with anyone who seriously invests in agriculture, livestock, minerals and the various resources that Somaliland is rich in.
He said that investing in agriculture and irrigation in the country’s agricultural lands is an important strategic step that demonstrates the Republic of Somaliland’s commitment to engaging with investors in a transparent manner, so as to achieve sustainable development and food security as a nation.
On the other hand, the President underpinned the important role that modern farming methods and traditional irrigation methods can play in revitalizing the local community’s economy, improving food security, and also in truly ensuring environmental protection in the long term.
For their part, the leaders of the Pharo Foundation expressed their gratitude to the President for the warm welcome, hospitality and facilitation of the important meeting. They also congratulated the President on the success of his presidential election and praised Somaliland for the peace, stability and mature democratic system that has been established in Somaliland.
The leaders of the Pharo Foundation said that they had come to the Presidential Palace to discuss with the President of the Republic of Somaliland and his government on agricultural project, which is the largest and most financially viable project that the Pharo Foundation intends to implement in Somaliland to date.
They said that the partnership between them and the Somaliland government has a long-term and beneficial goal for the country of Somaliland, which will lead to many developments and benefits in the field of water supply and agricultural projects.
It will be possible to harness water in a modern and cost-effective way, store large amounts of water, and irrigate agricultural land, using modern farming techniques, while also protecting the environment.