Somalia launches national agriculture coordination platform to boost food security

Wednesday April 1, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia moved on Wednesday to tighten the reins on its agriculture efforts, unveiling a national coordination platform in Mogadishu designed to bring greater order to the sector and bolster food security nationwide.

The new initiative is intended to align agricultural programs, improve cooperation among government bodies, international partners and development agencies, and help Somali farmers raise output as drought and climate pressures continue to bite.

The launch ceremony drew Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Ahmed Jama, senior government officials and representatives of major international partners, including the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP). Officials said the forum is expected to become a key mechanism for matching development priorities and encouraging sustainable agricultural expansion.

Deputy Prime Minister Jama called the platform an important advance toward food self-sufficiency and Somalia’s wider development ambitions.

“The Federal Government has a national plan to increase agricultural production and ensure that Somalia becomes self-reliant in food production,” Jama said at the event. “This platform will serve as a catalyst for strengthening the country’s agricultural sector and improving livelihoods.”

Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Mohamed Abdi Hayir Mareeye said agriculture is increasingly being recognized as central to Somalia’s economic recovery and resilience. He pointed to progress in agricultural output over the past five years, saying it has helped improve food security and support economic growth.

“The establishment of this coordination forum is a critical step in harmonizing the efforts of the government and development partners,” Mareeye said. “It will ensure that agricultural programs effectively serve communities and support sustainable production across the country.”

The event also included representatives from the ministries of Environment and Climate Change, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, and disaster management agencies, along with officials from the Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank. Delegates from regional agriculture ministries, diplomatic missions from Italy, Qatar and the European Union, and international organizations working in agricultural development were also present.

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Somalia’s economy, employing most of the population and forming a crucial part of the country’s food supply. Yet the sector continues to face steep obstacles, including repeated droughts, shifting climate patterns and weak infrastructure.