Somali PM urges investment in irrigation projects

Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama has backed the Jowhar Offstream Storage Project (JOSP) to improve the food security situation in the country.

The DPM spoke during a visit to Hirshabelle State in Johwar city, where he’d gone to inspect the irrigation project. He was accompanied by several top officials, including the Somali Disaster Management Agency (Sodma) Commissioner Mohamud Moalim Abdulle, plus representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Energy.

The delegation was welcomed in the city by the Hirshabelle state president Ali Gudlawe Hussein.

“Food security is the backbone of the country’s economic success. We have the potential to grow enough food and even supply to our brothers in the region. That way we will create income and use it to grow our country,” explained Ahmed Jama.

JOSP will, when complete, offer irrigation access for over 370,000 farmers, thus boosting agricultural production and reducing displacement in the region.

Additionally, it will mitigate flood risks that currently threaten up to 1.5 million citizens.

Among others, the irrigation project will feature a storage system to capture excess water during the rainy season, thus creating a crucial reserve during dry periods.

This will significantly reduce the impact of droughts on farmers and communities.

JOSP's water storage capacity is estimated to hold enough water to irrigate about 2000 acres of farming land during droughts, potentially benefiting 1.5 million people.

By improving irrigation access year-round and mitigating the effects of droughts, the irrigation project is expected to significantly boost agricultural production in the region.

This will not only enhance food security but also create a more stable income source for farmers, potentially reducing displacement caused by economic hardship.

Somalia has immense potential for agriculture, and revitalizing this sector can bring significant benefits on multiple fronts. Firstly, it can bolster food security and nutrition for the nation's population.

The country experiences frequent droughts and relies heavily on food imports. Investing in farming techniques and infrastructure can help the country become more self-sufficient in food production.

By growing a wider variety of crops suited to the climate, Somalis can have better access to nutritious food sources, reducing dependence on imported staples and improving overall health.