(12 Mar 2025) MOGADISHU (Halqabsi News) – Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mohamed Abdi Hayir Mareye, has urged Somalis to take charge of their own food production, warning that international aid is drying up and may no longer be a reliable safety net. Speaking at a press conference in Mogadishu, Minister Mareye emphasised the need for self-sufficiency, calling on citizens to make full use of the country’s natural resources—including its fertile lands, rivers, and vast coastline—to secure their food supply.
“The lifeline of humanitarian aid that many Somalis once relied on is shrinking. It’s time for us to roll up our sleeves and focus on producing our own food,” he said.
The minister outlined plans by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation to promote sustainable farming practices and empower people to grow what they eat. He cautioned against clinging to the hope of continued foreign assistance, stressing that such support is becoming increasingly uncertain. “We need to step up, support each other, and ramp up agricultural production,” he urged.
Mareye also noted that Somalia has turned a corner after years of insecurity, clan conflicts, and food crises. However, he warned that an impending period of low rainfall could put millions at risk if proactive measures are not taken.
As a long-term solution, the minister called for investment in agriculture and announced plans for an Agricultural Investment Summit to encourage the private sector to back farming initiatives, ensuring Somalia moves away from dependency on foreign aid.
Halqabsi News
