Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud delivered a powerful message today at the 2nd Food Systems Summit, declaring, "Now is the time for the world to stand together to ensure food security." The summit, co-hosted by Ethiopia, Italy, and the UN, is currently underway at the African Economic Commission in Addis Ababa.
President Mohamud emphasized the urgent need for global cooperation, citing the unpredictable and challenging nature of our current food systems. "We must work together to ensure a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food system," he asserted.
He detailed the myriad factors hindering food production and consumption, including climate change, persistent drought, ongoing conflicts, and uneven economic growth. "We need to work harder to fill this gap," he stressed, highlighting the critical imbalance.
For Somalia, President Mohamud described agriculture as more than just an industry; it's the nation's "lifeline." "Agriculture is our existence, our culture, and our guarantee for survival," he stated, underscoring its profound importance. Despite significant foreign exchange earnings from the sector, Somalia faces immense challenges in feeding its population due to climate change and other social crises.
The president also championed the vital role of the livestock sector in Somalia's food security, beyond its contribution to agriculture. He called for integrated efforts to "improve the lives of our rural citizens by integrating crop productivity and animal husbandry."
Looking ahead, President Mohamud outlined Somalia's commitment to inclusive economic growth through agriculture, a central pillar of its newly launched National Transition Plan. This plan aims for a value-chain-based transformation, empowering the private sector as a leader and fostering crucial government-private investor partnerships.
He concluded with a resolute declaration: their efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger are "irreversible," pursued with unwavering determination. Modernizing agriculture, he stated, is "not just a choice, but a moral obligation." The country's agricultural transformation strategy focuses on boosting productivity, developing infrastructure, strengthening agribusiness, and building robust institutions, recognizing agriculture's indispensable role in job creation beyond simply feeding the populace.
President Mohamud affirmed Somalia's diligent work toward establishing a sustainable agricultural system, achieving a resilient food system, and actively combating climate change, ENA reported.
