WFP and FAO Joint Resilience Programme in Somalia

The project showed good results with 6% increase in resilience to food insecurity, while overall population had a decrease of 33% due to the drought. The household income increased with 14% and production of maize and sorghum increased with 30%, while post-harvest losses decreased with 50%. The project supported 7500 beneficiaries in Jowhar, Beletweyne, and Baidoa who were grouped into 30 farmer cooperatives. The farmers were also provided with training and technical support to increase their household productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and improve market linkages for increased sales. To increase farmers' capacity to achieve the three project outcomes, 600 cooperative lead farmers were selected, trained, and equipped with the necessary skills to support knowledge transfer to the rest of the farmers. In addition, 280 farmer field schools were established within the 30 farmer cooperatives and post-harvest loss demonstrations for storage equipment were conducted in 30 village sites. The lead farmers and facilitators received training in good agricultural practices, climate-smart agricultural technologies, post-harvest loss management, and market information systems. The lead farmers and the farmer field-school facilitators have been responsible for disseminating appropriate technologies and practices to the rest of the farmers in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation staff. The smallholder farmers were also supported with assorted farm tools and agricultural inputs. Farmers received seed packages for planting during the rain periods consisting of maize for the riverine farmers, sorghum for rainfed farmers, cowpeas, and assorted vegetable kits per farmer. The project supported the farmer cooperatives with labour saving technology such as tractors and farm implements, to enhance production through sustainable mechanization. 280 village savings and loan associations were established in Beledweyne, Jowhar and Baidoa districts and have continued to receive technical support through training and mentorship. Members of the groups were organized for improved outcomes to facilitate access to savings and loans in regions with limited access to formal financial services. This has contributed to access to essentials services for vulnerable communities such as education, health, irrigation infrastructure, and agriculture by promoting a culture of saving, amassing financial resources, and establishing trustworthy networks. A cash component during was added during the drought as a crisis modifier, for the project programming to safeguard the results of the project and enable the households to deal with worsening effects of the drought. Unconditional cash disbursement to the beneficiaries in Jowhar, Beletweyne, and Baidoa began in June 2022. 7444 households received cash assistance through mobile money. Each beneficiary received $255 for three months (households in Jowhar received $240 one-off payment). A study of the impact of the cash disbursement showed that the cash assistance helped farmers to cope through the drought period and avoided negative coping mechanisms such as selling farming assets, which would have eroded the gains realised within this project. This project provided the basis for a good working relationship and collaboration with the Government, especially the Federal and State level Ministries of Agriculture and Irrigation in Hirshabelle and Southwest States. Since the beginning of this joint project, collaboration and engagement with the government was geared towards building a sense of ownership by the government and to create sustainability avenues that would ensure gains made within this project are maintained or even possible expanded upon. The selection criteria for the beneficiaries ensured the participation of women and 50% of the beneficiaries were women. Through the selection of lead farmers and farmer field school facilitators, women's roles and participation were increased. Financial and digital literacy training was provided to these women. 36% of the lead farmers and 37% of the farmer field school facilitators are female, as well as 50% of the VSLA members.

The overall objective of the project is "to improve smallholder farmer's resilience to shocks, especially for women and youth, through increased quality production, reduced post-harvest losses and increased market access".  The programme aims to build resilience and improve food security and livelihoods in riverine agriculture production areas in Somalia. The target beneficiaries include smallholder farmers, producer cooperatives, traders, and Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI) extension staff. The smallholder farmers and MOAI staff will be trained on improving agriculture practices, post-harvest loss prevention, and increased market linkages for cereals.   The overall project objective is broken down into following outcomes:          Outcome 1: Households have increased production and quality of cereals and pulses, food security and improved food and nutrition security; Outcome 2: Smallholder farmers, especially women and youth benefit from more resilient, inclusive, quality and safe food handling practices; Outcome 3: Smallholder farmers and cooperatives have access to market information (prices, consumer preferences, delivery options, etc. to enhance sales. Geographic focus for the project is riverine and rain-fed regions in Jowhar and Beledweyne districts.