Agriculture
Overview
Over 70% of the population in our area of work is dependent on agriculture. Farmers in these areas mostly rely on traditional methods of farming, resulting in low agricultural production and hence, income. Lack of knowledge and poor irrigation facilities elevate their problems. Due to problems as such, migration towards big cities in search of better livelihood is being pursued extensively. Further, the arid nature o of the region has thrown its effects on poor farmers leaving fewer opportunities of income.
Capacity Building
We promote the capacity building of farmers by introducing modern farming techniques and increasing the availability of water for irrigation. With more water available, farmers can now grow more than one crop in a year which will lead to enhancement of their income. We further encourage and provide them technical and material support for alternative income generation such as beekeeping
Household Food Security
The dramatic levels of undernourishment and malnutrition which result are testimony to the food insecurity in Horn of Africa. In Somalia rural areas, where most of the population depend solely on agriculture but only have success to small, low-yield family farms. 20% of which are smaller than one hectare maize is the primary staple grain. Year after year these farmers are confronted with the major problems of low crop yield.
The aim of the project is to increase maize production, raise farmer’s income and meet the basic food needs of the community throughout year.
The beneficiaries
In this project Green Hope assisted twenty households (around 80 people) of 3 target communities in Afgoye district benefited from this project..
Irrigation
Green Hope together with its partners is providing financial, material and technical support to develop irrigation systems in the region with the aim of improving farmers productivity.
Seeds/Fertilizers Distribution
Green Hope purchases and distributes bio and drought-resistant seeds and fertilisers to its target beneficiaries. In addition we provide provide tractors (rented from rich farmers in the area) to the target group during the farming period.
Beneficiaries
We provided training and advice to farmers; supplied agricultural inputs for cultivation of 20 hectares of maize. The training included 20 farmers among them 10 women. Further Green Hope conducted additional income generating activities and advisory support on management issues, marketing training for 30 beneficiaries.
Mechanization
At Green Hope, we believe that mechanized farming will reduce hard and laborious work of smallholder farmers. Mechanization develops a competitive value chains and achieve future growth and poverty reduction.
Beekeeping
Somalia is suffering from soaring food shortage and high prices of food items. White maize is most widely consumed by food by the poor in Cereal Somalia. Currently the price of maize in this part of Somalia is 50% higher compared to the price in the years 2011 and 2017 where there has been drought in the region. The project aims to rapidly increase the incomes of 60 resource-poor, rural households to enable them to cope with rising food prices by improving their beekeeping practices to enhance their skills and improve their income in a sustainable manner. The aim is to raise the quality and quantity of honey they produce, and to link honey producers to reliable markets and generate a regular income.
Our activities in this regard includes training of farmers in modern beekeeping and honey harvesting techniques and the distribution modern hives and tools.
The beneficiaries: 60 resource-poor beekeepers in three villages in Janale district.