Shabelle river

SHABELLE RIVER and its Economic Impact to Lower Shabelle Farmers

The Lower Shabelle region is located in south west state of Somalia. It is the most productive region in the country and has integrated economic resources that could feed most parts of Somalia. Lower Shabelle is the greatest food supplier to major cities including Mogadishu.

The recurrent hydrological drought of the Shabelle river over the last three years has resulted in a lower crop production of vegetables, fruits and staple food crops like maize and sorghum.  The price of food crops is on the rise and will continue to rise for the months to come.

River water availability is under threat from changing climate and there has been a severe shortage of precipitation in many parts of Somalia.

As a result, some large-scale farmers started to establish shallow wells and boreholes to reduce the losses of their crops. This however cannot be realized for the small-scale farmers who are mainly dependent on subsistent farming.
In light of the uncertainties of climate variability, water demand and socio-economic environmental effects, it is urgent to take strong measures to use the limited water available efficiently and develop some new innovative approach to climate smart agriculture.
SATG team observe impact of river running dry
Mr.Beey shows maize crops at flowering stage without cob emerged due to lack of water
Mr. Beey, a small-scale farmer living in Afgoye-Jambaluul in the Lower Shabelle region said, “We have experienced such a lack of river water for the last three years, but now it is the worst time that we faced this problem ever in my life. I have grown several crops including maize and banana. I used to produce them for home consumption and the surplus to be marketed in to Afgoye and Mogadishu. But now I could not afford to get food from my own farm, let alone to sell it to the market
Professor Abikar, SATG senior agronomist, added, “It could also be much better if there is solar power for pumping the water from the well to irrigate the farms. This will reduce the cost of irrigation.”

Efficient use of water through climate smart agriculture interventions and integrated conservation agriculture will be increasingly important for reducing the impacts of water scarcity and droughts in the impacted areas.

Professor Abikar advising farmer what to do

- By Husni Muse

SATG M&E

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