Somaliland launches major farming project to boost food security

SOMALIA – The government of Somaliland has launched a large-scale agricultural project designed to increase food production and strengthen resilience against drought in the Wajaale plains.

On October 31, 2025, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi ‘Irro’ laid the foundation stone for the Wajaale Agricultural Development Project, which is being implemented by the Pharo Foundation. The President described it as “the largest project to be implemented in Tog Wajaale District in 65 years.”

President Irro said the project’s main goal is to make Somaliland self-sufficient in food production. “The most important aspect of this project is that it will give us food self-sufficiency. I hope that once completed, it will provide us with enough food,” he said during the launch event.

According to the government, the project will bring several benefits, including job creation for local communities, better incomes for farmers, and overall growth for the regional economy. It will introduce modern farming methods, establish irrigation systems using dams and canals, support fodder production for livestock, and implement environmental protection activities to stop soil erosion and land degradation.

The Pharo Foundation, through its development arm Pharo Ventures, will manage the construction and oversee the integration of technology and sustainable practices to ensure long-term results.

A strategic move for Somaliland’s agriculture

Government officials and development partners have called the project a significant step forward for Somaliland’s agriculture sector, which has long struggled with water scarcity and declining soil fertility.

The Wajaale initiative aims to shift the region from a dependence on rain-fed farming to a more reliable, irrigated system. Water infrastructure will form the backbone of the project.

The construction of dams and irrigation facilities is expected to secure a consistent water supply and reduce the impact of erratic rainfall. Officials also expect these efforts to slow down desertification and restore degraded land across the plains.

The Pharo Foundation said it remains committed to supporting sustainable livelihoods through knowledge and technology. “We are investing in people and their capacity to manage resources wisely. That’s how true progress happens,” a spokesperson from the Foundation said.

The Somaliland government believes that this project could strengthen national food security and cut dependence on imported food. If successful, it could also serve as a working model for other semi-arid regions looking to improve agricultural productivity and local resilience.

Elsewhere, similar agricultural developments are gaining ground across East Africa. Ethiopia recently announced new irrigation investments in the Awash Basin, while Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture is expanding its climate-resilient crop program in arid counties. Both initiatives share a similar goal: to improve food production and prepare farmers for tougher climate conditions.

As construction begins and the fields start to take shape, the Wajaale project stands as a key test of Somaliland’s ability to turn drylands into productive farmland and feed its growing population.

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