Agriculture in Somaliland is the second most important of the productive sectors of Somaliland after livestock, and also is one of the main economy pillars of the country. Some of the main crops cultivated in Somaliland are sorghum, maize, tomatoes, lettuce, banana, onions, peppers, Strawberries and cabbage. [1]
The primary method of agricultural production is rain-fed farming. Cereals are the primary crops cultivated. About 70% of the rain-fed agricultural land is used for the main crop, sorghum, while maize occupies another 25% of the land. [2] Scattered marginal lands are also used to grow other crops like barley, millet, groundnuts, beans, and cowpeas. The majority of farms are located near riverbanks, along the banks of streams (togs) and other water sources. The primary methods of channelling water from the source to the farm are floods or crude earth canals that divert perennial water (springs) to the farm. Fruits and vegetables are grown for commercial use on the majority of irrigated farms. [2]
Gebiley and Awdal regions are the main areas for rain-fed productions. [3] Somaliland has ten agro-ecological zones, eight of them are arid or desert with significant limited agricultural production, while the total arable land is estimated around 350,000 hectares across the country and mostly is concentrated northwestern regions, such as Awdal, Gebiley and Maroodi Jeex. [4]
