Berbera, Somaliland – The coastal city of Berbera played host to a major four-day conference aimed at tackling one of the region’s most pressing challenges: building a resilient food system. The Somaliland Food Systems Resilience Project (SL-FSRP) conference brought together government officials, researchers, development experts, and community leaders in a unified effort to address the future of agriculture and food production in Somaliland.
Under the theme “High-Level Consultation Workshop on Agriculture and Livestock Value Chain Prioritization and Rangeland Management,” the conference focused on strengthening the national food value chain and supporting the livelihoods of pastoralist and farming communities across the country.
At the heart of the conference was a call for action—moving from plans to implementation. Participants engaged in a series of in-depth discussions on how to increase food production, safeguard natural resources, and improve community resilience in the face of climate change.
Kayse Ahmed Mohamed (Jeelle), the SL-FSRP Project Coordinator, delivered a comprehensive overview of the project’s vision and goals. He stressed the need for long-term strategies that go beyond emergency aid and temporary solutions.
“Somaliland doesn’t just need food security—it needs food sovereignty,” Kayse emphasized. “If we want to build a sustainable future, especially in the face of climate change, we must embrace climate-smart agriculture as the way forward.”
He outlined five key priorities central to the success of the project:
- Boosting agricultural crop productivity
- Advancing livestock development and management
- Protecting the environment and mitigating the impact of climate change
- Conserving natural resources
- Enhancing policies and regulations that support food systems resilience
The event, supported by the World Bank, gathered a strong lineup of high-level officials and key stakeholders, including:
- Hon. Mohamoud Cige Warsame, Minister of Agriculture Development
- Hon. Omar Shucayb, Minister of Livestock and Rural Development
- Hon. Abdillahi Jama Osman (Geel-jire), Minister of Environment and Climate Change
- Mohamed Daahir, Governor of Saaxil Region
- Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture Development
- Representatives from the Somaliland Agricultural Research Institute (SIAR)
- Scholars from Amoud University
- Independent experts in livestock, agriculture, and the environment
- Pastoralist and farming community leaders
SIAR representatives actively participated in the dialogue, contributing valuable insights on the role of research and innovation in addressing food insecurity. They also advocated for a shift in mindset from short-term food relief to long-term food sovereignty. The conference opened and closed with recitations from the Holy Qur’an and Hadith, reinforcing the spiritual and ethical responsibility of ensuring food for all. As Somaliland continues to face environmental and economic challenges, initiatives like SL-FSRP offer a roadmap for sustainable development—one rooted in local knowledge, regional cooperation, and a shared vision for the future.
