In 2018, our main focus will be sustainable solution against drought, this will be a durable solutions to cushion the residents from future shocks, we are much interested in agricultural farming in general; this is because we understand that over 35% of the Somalia population depends on agriculture for their income and livelihoods. Moreover, agriculture is considered as the second leading income generating activity for the country that contributes largely to the country’s GDP through livestock exportation.
For the above reasons, SDC has initiated a new methodology, which is to invest in new farms that are owned by community landowners, after leasing the most vulnerable people will be in charge of these farms, they will create their assets, maintain and continue improving it for long term, the land owners have agreed to lease the lands to the community in an agreed terms, conditions and period, the agreed farming activities on it will include extension of vegetable /fruit /crop gardens, building and extension of irrigation canals, sink shallow wells and install them with solar Pumps and also the building of Tanks , the total years of leasing will be 10 years and as agreed on the leasing contract, at the end of every year the land owners will take 10% of the farm produce profits and the farmers will remain with 90% of the profit. This agreement is between land owners, farmers groups and SDC/WFP.
On February 2018 SDC signed contract to start that initiate program, so that up to now SDC developed a work-plan for both VFA & VFT and also we successfully carried-out community mobilization and sensitization in the targeted areas of Ilma-adeer, Rabaable, Laacdheere, Balay villages and Bursalah district.
In addition, we conducted community consultation meetings in the areas and tomorrow we expect to start selection of the project’s beneficiaries.
