(Ergo) – Families engaged in agriculture in Dhardhaar village in central Somalia’s Mudug region are facing challenges in recovering from the crop damage caused by sudden flooding last year, following a prolonged period of severe drought.
Abdi Isse Ereg, one of the local farmers, planted his crops in September 2023 when the seasonal deyr rains finally arrived, signaling an end to the four-year drought. Unfortunately, heavy downpours started on 25 October 2023, leading to floods that destroyed all the newly planted crops on Abdi’s three-hectare farm.
“It’s heartbreaking to lose all the crops you worked so hard to plant! We can only turn to God for help. We had hopes of bettering our lives, but it all came crashing down,” he expressed.
With no other source of income, Abdi had to rely on his relatives in Bandiradley town, who send him small amounts of food. They ration the food carefully, preparing just one meal a day for a family of 13. The maize and beans he had saved from the previous harvest are now completely gone.
Having borrowed money from local traders in Bandiradley, Abdi found himself unable to secure further credit when they discovered his failed farm. He is now indebted with $2,300, constantly reminded of his financial obligations.
“The loan repayment is way past due. I kept assuring them that my farm was close to harvesting, but they need their money back, and I have nothing to show,” he lamented.
Abdi has struggled through five years of farming, facing extreme weather conditions and substantial losses. The dozen goats he has left are mostly young and unsuitable for sale in the market. A neighboring farmer, Hassan Adan Hashi, finds himself in a similar predicament.
“The calamity has had a profound impact on our lives. Our crops were either uprooted or submerged, leading to massive losses,” Hassan narrated.
Hassan had anticipated earning $2,000 from his farm after the upcoming January harvest. Two other families that worked alongside him on the farms were also relying on this income. However, after the devastation, Hassan had to switch to construction work five kilometers away from his home in Bandiradley, earning a modest $14 for two days of labor per week.
“This work is physically demanding, but it’s essential for providing for my family. I start early in the morning and finish around 1:00 pm, but work is not consistent,” he grumbled.
He also carries debts amounting to $1,700 at local stores, and their supply of sorghum, maize, and beans has already been depleted.
The head of the local farmers’ association in Dhardhaar, Abdirashid Mohamed Hersi, disclosed that 51 farming families in the community lost their crops due to the unexpected rainfall and flooding, a situation they were ill-prepared for. Most had already consumed the limited food reserves they had held over from the previous harvest, which was also adversely affected by the drought.
“The issue was twofold; the lack of knowledge on how to mitigate flood risks, coupled with the financial constraints preventing investments in preventative measures. The impact on these families is truly devastating,” he remarked.
