How Somali farmers are fighting drought this growing season

Growing season Another gardening season is upon us here in Canada. Across the country, communities are enjoying the warmth of the sun and the quiet joy of watching tiny green buds grow into thriving plants and vegetables. For many, it’s a predictable routine that is reliant on a relatively consistent climate.

In regions where the weather is far less forgiving, the same growing season looks very different.

Across the world, beneath the dappled shade of lemon trees, Somali farmers are facing a much harsher and dryer reality. In Luuq and Harokwad, where the land is parched and the rains sparse, farmers are navigating a devastating drought and learning to adapt their techniques in order to farm in a changing climate.

How agricultural programs are supporting farmers

Abdirahman Ali is a World Vision Project Officer working in Somalia. He and his team are leading agricultural programs designed to prepare communities for a successful planting season, one that, despite the odds, they hope will lead to a plentiful harvest.

Their learning sessions cover essential farming practices that combat an increasingly dry environment:

• Land preparation and soil management
• Proper plant spacing for optimal growth
• Irrigation and water management
• Pest and disease control
• Drought recovery strategies for both soil and crops

With Somalia’s drought dramatically affecting food supplies and daily living conditions, the stakes are high. Teaching climate-resilient agriculture is essential.

Much of the project’s focus includes distributing seeds and tools. But in the face of extreme drought, one question lingers, how can a seed grow without water?

While the community continues to hope for a strong upcoming 'Gu' season (rainy season) they explained that they will not risk drought destroying another year's harvest. The team has expanded and adapted their plans to include irrigation systems and water harvesting initiatives. Over the coming months, these communities will be watching their fields closely, not only for signs of green shoots but also for signs that these new methods are working.

In places like Somalia, where drought has become a relentless adversary, support from donors like you is doing more than growing crops, it’s helping to grow resilience, hope, and a more secure future.