How is the Programme for Social, Political and Environmental Resilience in Somalia (PROSPERIS) empowering women smallholder farmers in Beledweyne?
Through the PROSPERIS program, NIS Foundation is making a remarkable impact by empowering women smallholder farmers in Beledweyne. This initiative addresses the recurring challenges faced by women in agriculture by enhancing their skills and providing essential resources, thereby contributing to NIS’s broader mission of building resilience and promoting inclusive development in Somalia.
Empowering Through Training
A 30-day Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) training was conducted for 30 women farmers in Beledweyne. The training covered various areas including land preparation and clearance, land leveling, crop selection, different methods of irrigation, soil management, water conservation, safe use of natural and chemical fertilizers, Pest control, and post-harvest practices. This training was designed to fill critical gaps in farming techniques and yield management.
Figure 1: Fatima Idiris presenting a group discussion during the classroom session of the GAP Training
One participant from the Dalagsoor cooperative shared her inspiring journey:
Before this training, I knew only one method of irrigation. Now, I’ve learned about various irrigation methods and soil management techniques that will help us improve our crop yields.
This hands-on training has equipped these women with the knowledge necessary to transform their farming practices as another participant expressed her gratitude:
I have never taken such training before. Everything we learned was relevant to our daily farming practices and has greatly enhanced my skills and understanding.”
Figure 2: Female farmer weeding a maize field planted by the cooperative
After a decade of farming, she discovered essential information about pesticide use, irrigation techniques, and post-harvest crop management that had previously eluded her.
Providing Essential Resources
PROSPERIS has also provided vital farming equipment and seeds to five selected women cooperative groups in Beledweyne. The resources provided include:
- 1 tractor to be shared among all the cooperatives
- 5 irrigation motors (One for each cooperative)
- 2 sesame seed oil extraction machines and 3 maize grinder machines for all cooperatives
- 180 pieces of hermetic bags for grain storage for each cooperative
- 5 tricycles for transportation of goods (One for each cooperative)
In terms of the seeds delivered, each cooperative received:
- 40 kilos of sesame seeds
- 40 kilos of bean seeds
- 40 kilos of sorghum seeds
- 30 kilos of vegetable seeds
These resources have revolutionized how the women approach agriculture.
A farmer noted that the newfound capability has empowered them to maximize their agricultural productivity.
“We used to wait for the rain and plant our crops once a year, but now we can plant several times because of the irrigation machines we have received.” Sadia, from Tawakal Cooperative
With these tools, women farmers are becoming more resilient to climate change and droughts, reducing their dependence on seasonal rainfall.
Figure 3. Woman farmers doing land preparation activities
A Path to Financial Independence
The introduction of sesame seed oil extraction machines has been particularly transformative. A member of the Kulmiye cooperative remarked:
These machines are not just equipment, they are essential tools that enable us to utilize our agricultural resources effectively. We can now process our sesame crops into healthy oil, which provides a good source of income to support our families and invest in the growth of our cooperative.”
With these first experiences captured, PROSPERIS seems to not only be enhancing agricultural practices among women smallholder farmers in Beledweyne but also fostering their resilience and, in their future, their economic empowerment.
A set of first few steps have been taken, and women have started to transform their farming techniques. This will hopefully, in turn, change their lives, that of their families, and their communities. However, these first steps lay the groundwork for sustainable growth in Somali agriculture, empowering women to take control of their futures and thrive in their endeavors in face of climate change.
Behind this success story is the support of the Norway and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, whose partnership with NIS Foundation through the PROSPERIS program made the training possible. By investing in women farmers and working closely with local authorities, they are helping create a future where communities in Beledweyne can thrive.