Context:
Agriculture is the backbone of the Somali economy. Despite its great significance, local production is not sufficient to meet the Somali population’s food needs. The country is dependent on food aid and imports.
To raise the standard of living for the rural population, Somalia’s agricultural sector must become more competitive. Somalia needs support to strengthen economic cooperation with the East African Community (EAC).
Objective:
Somalia’s agricultural sector is more competitive, more resilient to climate change and better integrated into the EAC.
Approach:
The project focuses on the following priority areas:
• It advises national and regional ministries on policy matters so that they can revise, implement and assess their agricultural strategies with a view to climate adaptation and improved competitiveness and can adopt EAC agricultural strategies.
• It funds training so that policy-makers can advance evidence-based policies.
• It advises authorities on implementing trade protocols, uniform standards and quality controls.
• It helps micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and marketing groups to prepare business plans and develop new joint distribution channels.