This country profile describes the state of the water resources and water use, as well as the state of agricultural water management in Somalia. The aim of this report is to describe the particularities of the country and the problems met in the development of the water resources, and irrigation in particular.

Three years of drought have taken a heavy toll on the rangelands and water supplies that Somalia’s 7+ million pastoralists rely on to keep their animals alive and healthy. Livestock are their most important possessions – trade items bartered for food and other essentials; high-value assets used as collateral; the source of daily dairy protein.

Somalia, one of the world's poorest countries, has livestock as the mainstay of the economy, with an estimated 65% of the population engaged in the livestock sector.

Since the 1960s, FAO has taken the lead in the fight against hunger in Somalia, supporting the Government and rural communities in times of crisis as well as in pursuit agricultural development goals. Special attention is devoted to helping rural communities withstand recurrent shocks, such as drought, flooding, and plant and animal pests and diseases.

In the Sahel, around 65 percent of the active population works in the agriculture sector and their livelihoods are therefore affected by climate change, markets and environmental factors. More than half of these are women. Recurring crises pose real concerns for the achievement of sustainable food and nutrition security in the region.

Meeting Name: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA)
Meeting symbol/code: CGRFA-16/17/16
Session: Sess.16

Meeting Name: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA)
Meeting symbol/code: CGRFA-16/17/16
Session: Sess.16

Meeting Name: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA)
Meeting symbol/code: CGRFA-16/17/16
Session: Sess.16