The Dawn of a New Era: From Pastoralism to Farming in Galgadud
In the heart of Somalia’s Galgadud region, a quiet revolution is unfolding as over 100 families, once devastated by relentless droughts, are carving out a new future through farming. These former pastoralists, along with seasoned farmers, are now thriving in communities like Faragoy, Duduma-cade, Ilaanle, and Marargur. The transition from livestock loss to agricultural success is more than an economic shift; it’s a testament to human resilience.
Breaking Ground: The Journey Begins
Cadar Abdi Osman, a beacon of hope and perseverance, reflects on her transformation from pastoralist to farmer. “I had no experience in farming,” Cadar confesses, her eyes a mix of nostalgia and pride. “When my livestock died, I was lost in darkness. Now, farming is not just a job; it’s my salvation.”
Since she began farming in February last year, Cadar has reaped five bountiful harvests, earning almost $1,000. Her once-barren two-hectare plot in Faragoy is now alive with watermelon, beans, maize, tomatoes, peppers, and cabbage.
Farming is not only about crops for Cadar; it’s her lifeline, supporting six children and her elderly mother. “Our lives have transformed. We now eat two or three meals daily, compared to the desperate times when we were lucky to have one,” she recounts.
Education and Sustenance: A Dual Miracle
Education, a distant dream for many, becomes a reality with her farming income. Her children attend primary school for $14 a month—a modest amount but monumental in changing their future. Cadar even cultivates livestock fodder, selling it for around $150 bi-monthly, enough to sustain her remaining goats.
- “My land has given me back my life. Selling fodder is like giving my goats another chance,” says Cadar, each bundle sold in Dusamareb a symbol of resilience.
- Her story echoes in the hearts of many who have lost livestock and turned to the soil for salvation.
Community and Cooperation: The Seeds of Success
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), instrumental in this agricultural renaissance, supplied seeds, tools, and borehole irrigation training. These lifelines enabled families to embrace farming and elevate their lives.
Take Naimo Ali Ibrahim—once displaced by conflict from Lower Juba, now thriving in a cooperative with 30 members. “Farming has been transformative,” she shares. “I earn $300 monthly, enough to feed my ten children and dream of exporting produce beyond local borders.”
Naimo’s cooperative, managing a shared five-hectare farm, has successfully harvested tomatoes, watermelon, bell peppers, and maize. It’s not just about income—it’s about dignity restored amid adversity.
Tradition Meets Innovation: A Cultural Shift
Hirsi Farah Osman, chairman of the Dusamareb farmers’ cooperative, observes a shift as pastoralists embrace farming. “People didn’t know farming. Droughts forced them to rethink. It’s not just survival; it’s a newfound appreciation of the land.”
Dusamareb has witnessed a surge in farming, with over 400 farms now flourishing, a stark increase from years past. Local produce competes with imports, offering a cheaper, sustainable option.
A Call to Action: Challenges Ahead
Yet, challenges remain. The region’s reliance on seasonal rains is precarious. Deep, non-seasonal wells are costly yet essential for sustained growth. As Hirsi poignantly states, “If livestock perish, the land must be cultivated, else hunger follows.”
The question lingers—can these communities secure the resources needed to sustain their progress? This transition underscores a broader narrative: the shift from reliance on traditional pastoralism to innovative agriculture amid climate change.
In Conclusion: A Story of Hope and Transformation
These stories, vibrant and compelling, epitomize a shift driven by necessity and nurtured by community and innovation. As global audiences reflect on Galgadud’s journey, we must ask ourselves—how can we support such vital transformations worldwide?
In the rising heat of an uncertain future, famine looms large. Yet, amid hardship, hope sprouts anew in the harvests of Galgadud.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
