Page 8 - AWA Vol.41-No.3

HORTICULTURE

Ugbaad symbolizes hope: Somalia looks to boost

climate resilient agriculture with new project

Ugbaad – the Somali name for a new project that aims to boost
climate resilient agriculture – translates as “fresh sprouting pas-
ture”, symbolizing hope. The Climate Resilient Agriculture proj-
ect bearing its name will tackle persistent challenges in Soma-
lia, a country where nearly two-thirds of the population depend
on the agricultural sector and in which climatic shocks and con-
flict have pushed nearly a quarter of the population into acute
food insecurity – a number expected to rise in coming months.
The seven-year project is pioneering in its scale and scope.
Steered by the Federal Government and the Food and Agri-
culture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with a $79.7
million investment from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), it will
contribute to communities and agricultural systems through
building resilience to climate change and enacting initiatives
that restore landscapes, reducing the impact of climate change.
“In this era of escalating climate risk, the Ugbaad project will
support resilient livelihoods through sustainable agricultural locally led approach.
practices, more productive landscapes, and greater access to Rehabilitate 15 km of secondary and tertiary irrigation canals
water,” said Henry Gonzalez, the Green Climate Fund’s Chief and 70 km of rural roads to make infrastructure more resilient to
Investment Officer. “Our priority, in partnership with our imple- the effects of climate change,
menting partners, is to ensure that vulnerable communities have
access to climate finance.” Increase income of 15 000 people by at least 15 percent with
the development of climate-resilient value chains.
Approved in late 2024, this is the first single-country invest-
ment in Somalia for the GCF, which has more than 286 projects Improve access to water for 900 000 people; and access to cli-
in more than 133 developing countries. The investment builds mate information services for 950 000 people.
on the country’s engagement in a two-year Green Climate Fund Local actors are protagonists
Readiness Programme, enhancing its capacity to access and ‘’The Ugbaad project will be implemented through a series
manage climate finance, develop GCF Country Programme and of partnerships and collaborations with local communities, the
develop investment concept notes. government and other stakeholders,” said FAO Assistant Di-
Community participation rector-General and Regional Representative for Africa Abebe
The growing number and increasing intensity of droughts in Haile-Gabriel. “This approach recognizes both the challenges
Somalia present a particular threat to pastoralists, who make communities face and the opportunities to advance locally led
up a majority of Somalia’s population. Droughts typically lead adaptation efforts.”
to households losing 40 percent of their livestock because they By combining technical expertise with local solutions, FAO will
can’t access fodder. This, in turn, leads to reductions in house- work with the Government to reach farmers, agropastoralists,
hold income, surges in displaced peoples, food and nutrition and pastoralists in Somalia to bolster their resilience and ability
insecurity, and health, education, and security problems. to thrive in the face of climate challenges."
The project will support community participation in the res- Ugbaad is aligned with Somalia’s National Transformation Plan
toration of productive landscapes while strengthening gover- and was welcomed by H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama.
nance and the government’s ability to provide services includ- “Somalia is taking bold steps to ensure climate resilience is at
ing climate and meteorological information. Progress in these the heart of our national development agenda,” the Prime Min-
areas will help transform unsustainable, unproductive, and mal- ister said at the launch of the project. “Through the Ugbaad proj-
adapted agricultural production systems to more resilient and ect, we are integrating climate action into our National Trans-
productive agricultural practices. formation Plan, creating opportunities to restore landscapes,
The project also aims to prevent and repair damage from seri- secure resilient livelihoods, and build a sustainable future for
ous flooding events, which have become almost yearly occur- all," he said.
rences over the recent past especially along the Jubba and Sha- Operating in fragile and conflict-affected states is critical for
belle rivers, destroying property and livelihoods.
reaching those most impacted by climate change, but it also
Vulnerable households and villages will receive support to comes with challenges. Ugbaad, like other projects, involves
access water and other resources, as well as benefit from ex- close cooperation with local actors within robust oversight
panded meteorological alerts. The capacity of federal and state frameworks. FAO, through strong fiduciary and safeguards
level ministries to deal with these crises will also be strength- frameworks and control mechanisms, ensures that resources
ened, with such support eventually expanded to reach national allocated, are used efficiently and effectively and not diverted
research centers and universities, farmers’ associations and from their intended purpose.
civil-society organizations. Ugbaad, formally launched in February, is undertaking consul-
Expected impact in numbers tations with government partners with an inception workshop
The project will benefit over two million people, over half of planned for April. Project activities will start in accordance with
which are direct beneficiaries. a work plan to be finalised at the workshop.
Restore over 40,000 hectares of productive landscapes through Circle 7 on enquiry card
6 Vol. 41 No. 3