Title : Unpacking food insecurity in Somalia: Structural, institutional, and environmental barriers to sustainable agricultural development
Abstract:
Food security is a significant concern across Africa, particularly in Somalia, which endures severe limitations owing to ongoing violence, environmental degradation, and institutional deficiencies. This research analyzes the fundamental causes compromising food security in Somalia, contextualizing them within the wider African framework. The research reveals a confluence of structural, institutional, and environmental obstacles that hinder agricultural output and market access, therefore intensifying food poverty. Key issues include insufficient rural infrastructure, notably substandard road networks, and a deficiency of storage facilities, which impede the effective transportation and preservation of agricultural goods. The lack of dependable market information systems and the restricted use of information and communication technology (ICT) further impede farmers' access to equitable markets and competitive pricing, rendering them susceptible to exploitation by middlemen and brokers. Additionally, smallholder farmers have considerable financial limitations stemming from limited access to finance and investment capital, hindering the implementation of enhanced agricultural practices and value enhancement. Repeated climatic disturbances, such as droughts and floods, exacerbated by persistent insecurity, persistently undermine agricultural livelihoods and displace rural communities, hence intensifying food insecurity. Furthermore, inadequate institutional frameworks and the absence of unified agricultural marketing regulations hinder the advancement of robust food systems and restrict farmers' engagement in both local and export markets. This report contends that tackling Somalia's food security issues requires a comprehensive strategy including infrastructure investments, the establishment of resilient market and information systems, the enhancement of cooperative marketing, and the implementation of inclusive agricultural policy. These interventions are crucial for improving agricultural production and market efficiency, as well as for attaining long-term food security and economic resilience in Somalia and similar settings in Africa.
Keywords: Food Security, Agricultural Market Access, Institutional Frameworks, Climate Resilience and Rural Infrastructure Development
