Pathways to resilience of agro-pastoral communities in Somalia

Armed conflict, the unsustainable use of natural resources, the loss of biodiversity and climate risks in Somalia have significantly weakened local food systems. Large areas of once-productive rangelands have been reduced to critically low biomass, resulting in severe soil erosion, land degradation, and declining agricultural productivity. Against this background, we study the pathways to sustainable food production with a specific focus on natural resource management, ecosystem restoration and micro-enterprises to improve resilience in target regions. Key areas of study include testing sustainable farming practices, access to seeds, soil moisture management and nutrient cycling. Our research will also assess the role of consumers in supporting sustainable food systems by fostering demand for locally produced food. Research will be conducted in four target regions of Somalia.