Crop Production Challenges Faced by Farmers in Somalia: A Case Study of Afgoye District Farmers

Abstract

The objective of this article was to investigate existing challenges of crop production on farmers in Afgoye District lower Shabelle Somalia. The Focus was farmer's attitude toward existing or not constraints to their crop production and what the experts have seen and what are far from their perception. Sixty famers and academic experts were distributed questionnaires and interview about the constraints of crop production other than agricultural disciplines. This paper used survey descriptive research which facilitates easily connection between past constrains and challenges of crop production. Questionnaire was comprised in the following two parts; Part one; demographic variables and Part two; objective related questions. The study found both major and minor constraints are exists in the Somali farmers. The major constraints include unstable weather, water scarcity, pests damaging crops, and poor transportation, and minor constraints such as inability to access and use such as seed and fertilizers, lack of capital to buy, inadequate investment in irrigation which makes farmers very vulnerable to drought, and there is less knowledge and skill of all farmers. The finding with highest percentage that was challenged in Afgoye farmer was "there is fear of gunner and thieves in the farmers" and 75% of respondents strongly agreed and second question with highest score is "there is fear of conflict between rebels and government", and 61.7% of them selected strongly agreed.

Constraints Faced By the Small-Scale Farmers in the Production of Major Crops Sorghum and Maize in Awdal Region, Somaliland

“…This shows that there exist a good number of constraints that could result in food insecurity in the selected area. These findings are more or less similar found by [11,16].…”

“…The main reasons for food insecurity and low income are poverty, illiteracy, natural disaster vulnerability, and lack of unemployment opportunities [10]. According to Abdi-Soojeede [11], both major and minor constraints are faced by Somali farmers.…”

Farming Legumes for Food Security and Agricultural Sustainability in Somalia

“…Traditional seed storage methods have been associated with a decrease in seed quality. Post-harvest crop losses are high due to poor storage structures as well as less knowledge and skills for all farmers (Abdi-Soojeede, 2018). The results show that most of the legume growers manage small plots of land such as 2 hectares, which means that the majority of the legume growers engage in small-scale farming.…”

“…Beyond their nutritional value, plant proteins offer distinct health advantages over animal protein sources, including reduced cholesterol levels, reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, increased satiety, and potential applications in the development of new therapeutics, such as utilizing plant proteins for drug delivery mechanisms (Nosworthy et al, 2023). Food security is a major issue in Somalia, which mostly caused hunger and scarcity in 2011/2012, 2015/2016 and 2017, normally related to rainfall scarcity (Abdi-Soojeede, 2018). According to official data, the area where legumes are grown in Somalia is large, but the total production amount and unit area yield are very low.…”

Study of Community Perception on Drinking Water Quality in Mogadishu, Somalia

“…Most of respondents strongly agreed and agreed that Good water quality is very important issue, so every human being knew water is life. The respondents worried about water quality in Benadir region, which means that there was water scarcity on some neighborhood regions in benadir regions, such as Lower shabelle (Jowhar), and Middle shabell including Afgoye [7]. The respondents strongly agreed that they are willing to pay more money or fees to protect or preserve water quality.…”