(3 Minutes Read)
Switching over to greenhouse agriculture may be an unexpected development in a country where science and technology have yet to make a mark. But that is what is happening. These new agricultural practices help farmers to produce fruits and vegetables all year round.
Somalia is in the grip of a severe food shortage due to climate vagaries, such as frequent floods, droughts, and the impact of civil war. The silver lining is that despite these occurrences, there is a visible emergence of a crop of agricultural entrepreneurs who are spearheading a tech revolution of sorts that can boost production and enhance food security in the fragile economy.
Switching over to greenhouse agriculture may be an unexpected development in a country where science and technology have yet to make a mark. But that is what is happening. These new agricultural practices help farmers to produce fruits and vegetables all year round.
Over 250 greenhouses are dotting the outskirts of Mogadishu. These farms are pivotal in ensuring a consistent food supply to Somalia’s capital. Greenhouse farming is seen as a way to allow farmers to grow fruits and vegetables for the local market, besides creating employment avenues for its youth, which constitutes over 75% of the population.
Read Also:
https://trendsnafrica.com/debt-cancellation-a-major-boost-to-the-crumbling-somalian-economy/
According to Somalia’s National Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment rate for people aged between 15 and 24 years is currently 30.1%. There are however concerns about the environmental viability of greenhouse farming. The method requires substantial energy for lighting, heating, and cooling. It is also water-intensive.
