By Zamzam Daqare - Reporter
Somalia, 1 April 2026 Somalia has launched a national agricultural coordination forum aimed at boosting food production and tackling recurring drought, which has left millions facing food insecurity.
The forum was inaugurated on Wednesday in Mogadishu by Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama and brings together government institutions, international partners and agricultural stakeholders.
Participants include United Nations agencies such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), alongside development partners, farmer cooperatives and private sector actors.
Officials said the forum formally known as ‘Somalia Agriculture Sector Coordination’, aims to align efforts across institutions, reduce fragmentation and support a unified national strategy for agricultural development.
Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama said the platform would play a key role in strengthening the sector and improving resilience to climate shocks.
“We cannot continue to react only when food shortages occur; we must plan ahead and take preventive measures.”
Related articles
Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdi Hayir said the forum is designed to unify key actors across the agricultural sector.
“This platform brings together government institutions, Somali farmers, cooperatives and international partners — both implementers and donors — to work in a coordinated way;” the minister said.
He added that the forum will help increase agricultural productivity, enhance food security and improve planning and investment across the sector.
Somalia faces repeated climate shocks, including prolonged drought, with an estimated 6.5 million people experiencing acute food insecurity in recent assessments, underscoring the urgency of coordinated agricultural reform.
Officials said improved coordination and increased investment in recent years have helped reduce the impact of drought on crops and livestock compared to previous periods.
Agriculture remains a key pillar of Somalia’s economy, and the government has identified the sector as central to its strategy for economic recovery, resilience and long-term food security.