It is harvest time in the Shabelle Region of Somalia and Faduma Nur is smiling. Her demonstration plot and maize harvest have been rated excellent by the agricultural extension workers that have been trained at the new Agribusiness Incubation Center in Afgoi. Previously, her harvests were very poor. Her fields are on bush fallow lands and she was not aware of good agriculture practices until her recent training.
Surprising to many outsiders, frankincense and myrrh are the two most exported commodities from the Somali regions, after livestock. Both products have traditionally been used for incense and perfumes throughout the world, and there is growing demand from medical research centers. However, local traders tend to buy products in bulk, and sell to Middle East buyers who process and package commercial grade gums and resins for higher end markets in the EU and around the world. As Ismail Siyad Abdi and his business partners began exploring this sector, they saw a lot of opportunity for growth, job creation, and skills transfer which would allow more local value addition.
USAID supports the Somali Joint Health and Nutrition Program (JHNP), a multi-donor fund managed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) that strengthens health systems and service delivery across Somalia. By supporting quality reproductive, maternal, new-born, and child health (RMNCH) and nutrition services that are accessible and affordable, JHNP continues to improve the health and nutrition status of the Somali people and reduces maternal and child mortality.
USAID’s Partnership for Economic Growth (PEG) facilitates collaboration between local governments and the private sector to accelerate economic growth, increase investment, and generate productive employment across Somalia. By working with small and medium enterprises, producer organizations, women’s groups, trade and business associations, community-based organizations, and government counterparts, PEG is improving the investment climate across Somalia, creating jobs, and introducing new and better products to the local market. PEG also works with all levels of government across all Somali regions to support the development of policies and regulatory frameworks that create an enabling environment for business growth.
USAID’s Strengthening Somali Governance (SSG) is a nationwide activity to support the development of effective and accountable governance across Somalia. SSG supports efforts to enhance government outreach, increase citizen participation, improve the functional capacity of key government institutions, and expand women’s empowerment and leadership. SSG seeks to develop the capacity of governance institutions at the federal level and in Somaliland and Puntland.
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