Borama, Somaliland — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Somaliland government, recently convened fodder cooperatives and value chain actors in Borama and Gabiley to bolster market linkages and enhance the competitiveness of the region’s fodder sector.
With generous support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Kenya, the event took place under the Sustainable Inclusive and Resilient Agribusiness (SIRA II) program — an initiative dedicated to transforming Somaliland’s agribusiness landscape into one that is more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient.
Participants included fodder producers, cooperative leaders, local traders, and key value chain actors who gathered to discuss practical ways to improve production, market access, and income for communities reliant on the fodder economy. Experts from FAO provided tailored guidance on best practices in fodder cultivation, cooperative management, and value addition.
The SIRA II program aims to create a thriving fodder ecosystem that supports both pastoralists and smallholder farmers. By addressing bottlenecks across the value chain — from production and processing to marketing — the initiative seeks to contribute to food security, income generation, and the sustainable growth of agribusinesses in Somaliland.
The Swiss Embassy in Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local agricultural development, recognizing fodder as a critical resource for strengthening Somaliland’s livestock sector, which plays a key role in the region’s economy.
With continued cooperation between FAO, the Somaliland government, cooperatives, and international partners, these efforts aim to deliver long-term solutions that boost productivity and resilience for agricultural communities across Somaliland.