Somalia adopts new policy to transform US$7.5B feed and fodder sector

SOMALIA – Somalia has launched a major reform drive to transform its US$8 billion feed and fodder sector, a move aimed at strengthening livestock productivity, improving food security, and unlocking export potential.

This long-awaited policy reform was finalised in a three-day workshop organised by the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range and the African Union-Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources.

The livestock sector is the backbone of Somalia’s economy, contributing 45 per cent of GDP and 60 per cent of foreign exchange earnings, supporting 60 per cent of the population. Yet feed deficits of 10 to 60 per cent, even in normal years, have caused devastating losses, including 10 million animals over the past decade, worth US$7.5 billion.

“Livestock remains the backbone of Somalia’s economy yet continues to be undermined by recurrent droughts, conflict and weak feed systems… Somalia must move from fragmented, emergency-driven interventions to a coordinated national framework that treats feed and fodder as a strategic economic sector,” said Director General Mohamed Saney Dalmar.

The new plan focuses on commercial feed production, investment in fodder cultivation, and improved supply chains while prioritising the establishment of modern feed mills, promotion of drought-resilient fodder crops, and capacity building for smallholder producers.

There is also a strong push to formalise the sector through standards, quality control, and certification systems to improve competitiveness in regional and international markets.

Development partners pledged strong support. IFAD committed seed capital, the Islamic Development Bank included Somalia in a regional livestock value chain programme, and Zep-Re confirmed US$3 million in drought insurance payouts for 5,000 pastoralists. FAO and UNDP also pledged continued support for fodder production and resilience systems.

Dr Sarah Ashanut Ossiya of AU-IBAR noted, “Within one to two years, tangible changes will be visible. Within ten years, Somalia’s livestock economy could look fundamentally different.” 

FAO commits US$70 million to Somalia fodder programme

Supporting these reforms, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has scaled up its Fodder Value Chain programme in Somalia, committing US$70 million, with half allocated to fodder production, storage, and market development. 

The programme was formally expanded in October 2025 and is now under active implementation.

The initiative focuses on reducing the national feed deficit by strengthening production systems, improving storage facilities, and building market linkages. 

FAO has prioritised women-led fodder enterprises, creating inclusive opportunities in rural communities. Pilot projects are already supplying local markets and helping stabilise feed prices during dry seasons.

Early results show improved feed availability in drought-prone regions, reduced livestock mortality, and stronger resilience for pastoralist households. 

By integrating fodder data into resilience planning, FAO is helping Somalia shift from emergency-driven responses to structured, long-term solutions.

Somalia’s strategic location in the Horn of Africa positions it well to serve export markets in the Middle East and North Africa. By investing in feed systems, the country aims to reduce vulnerability to drought, stabilise animal health, and increase incomes for rural communities.

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