Agriculture Projects Controlled Environment Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture University Research

Boosting Somalia’s Agricultural Infrastructure with TİKA

TİKA installed two greenhouses at Somali National University to improve agricultural education and boost local production in Somalia.
Key Takeaways:
  1. Enhancing Agricultural Education: The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) installed two 250 square meter greenhouses at the Department of Agriculture in the Somali National University, Mogadishu. This marks a significant step in strengthening Somalia’s agricultural education and infrastructure.
  2. Strategic Development: This project is viewed as a strategic advancement in agricultural education in Somalia, with potential long-term benefits for the country’s agricultural sector.
  3. Training and Skill Development: The greenhouses will serve as practical training sites for students, enhancing their professional knowledge and agricultural experience, especially in modern agricultural methods like greenhousing.
  4. Supporting Local Production: Aimed at reducing Somalia’s reliance on imported fruits and vegetables (currently at 80%), the project encourages local production and aims to provide fresh produce to the people.
  5. Sustainable Agricultural Practices: The greenhouses are equipped with drip irrigation systems, promoting water conservation in regions facing irrigation challenges and enabling year-round cultivation of fruits and vegetables.

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has recently taken a significant step towards enhancing Somalia’s agricultural sector by installing two advanced greenhouses at the Somali National University’s Department of Agriculture in Mogadishu. Each of these state-of-the-art facilities covers an area of 250 square meters, symbolizing a new era in agricultural education and practice in the region.

The inaugural ceremony of these greenhouses was a momentous occasion, attended by key figures such as the Provincial Director of Agriculture of Mogadishu, Prof. Mohamud Mohamed; Director of Somali National University, Prof. Hassan Osman Ga’al; Dean of the Department of Agriculture, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abdisamad Adam; along with TİKA’s Coordinator in Somalia, İlhami Turus, and students who will be directly benefiting from this project.

In his address, İlhami Turus highlighted the vital role of agriculture and livestock breeding in the Somali economy. He stressed the importance of supporting initiatives in these fields to bolster the country’s economic backbone. Similarly, Prof. Mohamed, the Director of Agriculture in Mogadishu, acknowledged the project as a strategic enhancement in agricultural education. He expressed gratitude towards TİKA and underscored the anticipated positive impacts of this project on Somalia’s agriculture in the future.

These greenhouses aren’t just physical structures; they represent a shift towards modern agricultural practices. Following their installation, a week-long training program focusing on greenhouse farming was conducted by university-educated engineers from Türkiye. This training is crucial for imparting new skills and knowledge to students accustomed to traditional farming methods. The hands-on experience gained through these greenhouses is expected to enrich their academic curriculum and provide practical exposure to contemporary agricultural techniques.

Moreover, the initiative continues beyond greenhouses alone. It also encompasses providing essential agricultural tools, equipment, fertilizers, pesticides, and machinery for seeding and harvesting, laying a solid foundation for the first implementation phase.

Somalia, which currently imports about 80% of its fruits and vegetables, stands at a crucial juncture. This project by TİKA is a beacon of hope aimed at reversing this trend. Encouraging local production and providing fresh produce to the population addresses economic and health concerns.

Finally, the greenhouses are designed to be sustainable and efficient. Equipped with drip irrigation systems, they offer a solution to water scarcity issues and enable the cultivation of vegetables and fruits throughout the year. This approach maximizes resource utilization and paves the way for more sustainable agricultural practices in Somalia.

TİKA’s greenhouse project in Somalia is more than just an infrastructural development; it’s a step towards a self-sufficient, sustainable, and educationally enriched agricultural future for the nation.

Image provided by the Office of the Prime Minister of Somalia

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