Hopeful for a better tomorrow – Salah’s success story

Salah Mohamed, a 38-year-old father of seven, lives in the village of Gaacidh, about 35 kilometers north of Erigavo in the Sanaag region. Like most of Gaacidh’s residents, he makes his living through agriculture and livestock farming. However, years of poor rainy seasons, combined with deteriorated and limited water channels and reservoirs (berkads), have made it increasingly difficult to sustain his livelihood.

Struggles with Drought and Water Scarcity

Due to prolonged drought, Mohamed has often had to wait for rainwater for extended periods. Eventually, he was forced to use spring water for irrigation—water that his family also needed for other essential purposes.

To address this crisis, ISF has been working closely with the agricultural development organization ADO in the region. Together, they have built nearly three kilometers of water channels and three berkads. These new irrigation systems allow small-scale farmers like Mohamed to water their crops whenever necessary. Such water collection solutions are vital in helping Somali farmers adapt to climate change.

A Brighter Future

“Before the construction of the water channels and berkads, it was difficult to get water exactly when the crops needed it. Now, I can irrigate my farm whenever necessary and produce a higher yield compared to before,” Mohamed explains.

Additionally, Mohamed has benefited from multiple training programs focused on climate change adaptation and recovery. Ultimately, he successfully cultivated over 7,000 citrus fruits, transported them to Erigavo’s market, and sold them at a good price. Thanks to the improved water situation, he was able to harvest his crops before other farmers, securing a better income for his family.

Author: Abdinasir Ali