farmers

Al-Shabaab's Ominous Return: Farmers in Fear in Somalia's Bay Region Mogadishu (AX) — In a troubling development that has stirred anxiety among local communities, heavily armed al-Shabaab militants are asserting their presence once again in rural areas surrounding Baidoa, located in Somalia's Bay region. A growing number of residents reported on Saturday that these militants have taken to the fields, explicitly warning farmers to abandon their livelihoods. “You cannot visit or go to work on your farm,”…

Revitalizing Afgooye: A Tale of Resilience and Renewal Mogadishu (AX) — In the serene town of Afgooye, nestled just a short drive north of Mogadishu, there's an invigorating sound—a constant, life-giving rhythm of water dancing through revitalized channels. For Ali Abshir Ahmed, a resilient 32-year-old farmer, this sound is akin to a heartbeat, signifying life and hope. Under the ambitious Somalia Crisis Recovery Project (SCRP), spearheaded by the federal government and generously supported by…

(ERGO) – Life in North Western State of Somalia's Awdal region has never been easy, and Jama Mohamed Hassan can tell you all about it. His eyes are weary, a reflection of the tribulations his family of 17 is enduring. Their grocery business in Ruqi—a lifeline for years—recently came to a standstill. Customers who once brought vitality to his store now only leave unpaid debts, totaling a staggering $6,000 over the last 10 months. Jama's story is not just his own. Forty other shopkeepers in the region have shuttered their…

The Impact of Conflict on Frankincense Farmers: A Struggle for Survival "The conflict has affected everyone. People used to work on frankincense cultivation to manage their daily lives. Now it’s stopped, and our lives have deteriorated. People have nothing to eat," lamented Fowsi, speaking to Radio Ergo. For a decade, Fowsi's family depended solely on the frankincense trade. Every six months, the fruits of their labor yielded a harvest ample enough to see them through to the next season. This cycle of cultivation was their…

Former President Donald Trump recently made waves on his personal social media platform, Truth Social, with a proclamation that left many across the globe pondering its implications. His declaration, designed to appear altruistic, suggested a lifeline to farmers in distress, particularly those he claimed were victims of South Africa’s contentious land reform policies. But is there more to this offer than meets the eye?…

A lab technician carefully cradles a cluster of indigenous seeds at the Genetic Resources Research Institute seed bank in Kiambu, Kenya, Nov. 14, 2024. KIKUYU, Kenya — Nestled amidst the verdant landscapes of Kikuyu town, the National Seed Bank stands as an unsung hero in the quest to preserve Kenya's agricultural heritage and future. But why is this unassuming institution so critical? Behind the walls of this governmental edifice lie two chilled chambers that house over 50,000 varieties of seeds—a veritable treasure trove…

In the sun-whipped regions of Somalia, where the ground rarely sees rain, date palm trees have become indispensable allies for rural folks. They’re not just green life in the dry, they’re a lifeline, putting food on tables and coins in pockets. It’s been nearly ten years since the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) rolled out its initiative to boost these trusty trees here, and guess what? They’re still standing strong against climate’s curveballs, offering a smidgen of stability where it's needed most. CREDIT/…

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has greenlit a whopping $134 million to kickstart two landmark initiatives aimed at helping vulnerable farming communities in Somalia and Iraq toughen up against climate change.Steered by the good folks over at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, these game-changing projects will arm millions of farmers and herders with the skills to tackle climate chaos like droughts and floods head-on.Kaveh Zahedi, chief honcho of FAO’s Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment…

The battle has been occurring for greater than seven months in Tigray, in northern Ethiopia. The Federal Military, with the help of Eritrean troopers, is combating the TPLF's outdated energy. The humanitarian scenario is critical with 4.5 million folks insecure and famine threatening because the planting season approaches. Throughout the Tigray, farmers need to plow in order that they can plant earlier…

For six months, the price of fertilizer has risen. As a result, some farmers are being forced to reduce their use on the African continent. A trend that will not be without consequences. West African farmers are the big losers in the fertilizer market this year. Prices have reached their peak. And some operators are in…