By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Ethiopia, 6 May 2026 Ethiopia’s Somali region plans to farm 9,625 hectares to cut reliance on foreign food aid, the region's Agriculture Ministry said.
The initiative aims to grow food crops in the Harooreys and Tuulli-guuleed districts, with the goal of producing 300,000 quintals of food, boosting local food security.
The project, which involves modern hybrid seeds, will be carried out with the assistance of local farmers, agricultural cooperatives, and private investors.
Ahmed Abdullahi Habib, head of the Agriculture Office in the Harooreys district, noted that the initiative is essential to transitioning away from foreign aid, with crop production targeted at both the Gu' and Karan rainy seasons.
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"Our target is to cultivate 36,300 hectares during the Gu' season and 73,000 hectares during the Karan season," Habib said.
The project will use modern hybrid seeds to improve agricultural output.
The region’s agriculture office has also partnered with farmers’ cooperatives and private sector investors to ensure the success of the project.
The project is expected to contribute to the region’s food security goals and enhance its self-sufficiency in food production.