MOGADISHU (Dawan Africa) – Somalia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation says it has distributed 40 milling machines and 40 farm motorcycles to 80 smallholder farmers at a ceremony that took place Thursday at its headquarters in Mogadishu.
The ministry said the equipment, which includes motorcycles designed to transport vegetables and milling machines for maize and other grains, is intended to improve crop processing and market access for farmers. Officials added that the beneficiaries included young farmers engaged in greenhouse farming, but did not provide details on the selection process.
According to the ministry, the initiative was carried out in collaboration with Qatar Charity and is part of an earlier commitment by Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mohamed Abdi Hayir (Maareeye), to support Somali farmers. “This milestone follows our earlier commitment to revitalize agricultural mechanization and digitalization with our recent achievements of distributing tractors and hand-held agricultural machines to low-income farmers” Maareeye said on X.
The ministry said the move builds on the recent distribution of 26 tractors to Federal Member States, which it views as part of wider efforts to expand agricultural mechanization. At the event, the minister encouraged farmers to work collectively to increase production, strengthen the national economy, and combat poverty, noting that Somalia needs active youth capable of adapting to global changes.
Agriculture is a central pillar of Somalia’s economy, but the sector continues to face challenges including limited access to modern technology, financing, and infrastructure.Distribution, conducted in partnership with Qatar Charity, comes after earlier provision of tractors to Federal Member States, part of ongoing efforts to expand agricultural mechanization in Somalia.
