Hargeisa – In a significant stride toward improving food security and strengthening rural livelihoods, Somaliland has launched the Somaliland Institute of Agricultural Research (SIAR). This new initiative reflects the country’s growing ambition to build a research institution modeled after Kenya’s Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)—one of Africa’s leading agricultural research bodies.
What Is KALRO?
Founded in 2013, KALRO is Kenya’s premier agricultural research agency. Its mission is to coordinate and conduct research in crops, livestock, genetic resources, and modern agricultural technology. KALRO doesn’t just focus on innovation for innovation’s sake—it ensures that findings reach farmers and transform agricultural practices on the ground.
The organization includes several specialized departments:
- Crop and seed development
- Livestock and veterinary research
- Infrastructure for agricultural technology
- Training and knowledge dissemination
- The Agricultural Research Fund (ARF), which supports emerging research projects
By bringing science and farming together, KALRO has become a cornerstone in Kenya’s push toward food security, economic resilience, and rural development.
SIAR’s Vision: Planting the Seeds for Change
Now, Somaliland seeks to chart a similar path. The Somaliland Institute of Agricultural Research (SIAR) aims to become a homegrown research institution with regional influence and national impact. While still in its early stages, SIAR has laid out a vision that mirrors KALRO’s structure and ambitions.
The goals are bold but necessary:
- Establish research centers across Somaliland
- Focus on agriculture tailored to local climates and soils
- Improve seed quality and promote drought-resistant crops
- Build stronger links between farmers, scientists, and policymakers
- Develop legal and financial frameworks to sustain innovation
In short, SIAR wants to make research accessible and actionable for the farmers who need it most.
Why SIAR Is Critically Needed
Agriculture remains the mainstay of Somaliland’s economy, but it faces steep challenges:
- Erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts driven by climate change
- Poor-quality seeds and limited access to new technologies
- Insufficient research on local agricultural conditions
- Weak connections between researchers, extension workers, and farmers
Without a dedicated research institution, these issues continue to drag down productivity and food security. SIAR has the potential to break that cycle—if backed by political will and sustainable investment.
Learning from Kenya: KALRO’s Impact
KALRO’s success story offers a blueprint. In Kenya, agriculture is central to the country’s development strategy, as outlined in Vision 2030. KALRO was established as part of broader reforms to modernize and unify agricultural research under one umbrella.
Today, the organization serves as a critical hub, helping farmers:
- Adopt climate-smart farming practices
- Access improved seed varieties and livestock breeds
- Reduce post-harvest losses through new techniques
- Gain knowledge through training centers and extension services
Through projects like the Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme (KCEP-CRAL), KALRO ensures research isn’t confined to laboratories but reaches the very people who work the land.
A Roadmap for Somaliland
Somaliland’s agricultural future hinges on innovation, research, and knowledge sharing. SIAR’s formation is a powerful first step, but the journey ahead will require:
- A clear legal and regulatory foundation
- Sustainable funding mechanisms
- Public and private sector partnerships
- Capacity building for young researchers and extension agents
If these pillars are in place, SIAR could become not just a national asset—but a regional leader in agricultural development.
Conclusion: Cultivating Hope
In a region where agriculture defines livelihoods and food security, SIAR represents hope and possibility. Just as KALRO has transformed Kenya’s agricultural landscape, SIAR could do the same for Somaliland—turning research into results and farms into engines of growth.
With continued investment, collaboration, and focus, Somaliland can nurture its own model of innovation—rooted in local needs but inspired by continental success.
By: Abdirahman Ibrahim Abdilahi
