USAID Somalia Growth, Enterprise, Employment & Livelihoods Quarterly Progress Report FY 2016 Annual Report (1 October 2015 – 30 September 2016)

The program aims to promote inclusive economic growth through sectoral and overall business environment improvement activities. The GEEL program has made significant progress in engaging a broad cross-section of industry and cluster stakeholders through its five competitiveness platforms held between April and August. These events highlighted project goals and objectives, understood previous interventions, and identified or validated priority actions in each sector and value chain. The program also supported the participation of Somali banana and sesame exporters at the Gulfood Trade Fair in Dubai, which provided significant insight into both value chains. The sesame value chain has faced significant price fluctuations in the past couple of years, but demand for high-quality sesame remains high. GEEL embarked on variety trials to examine the performance of six different varieties under Somali climatic conditions in three parts of the country. Partnerships were created between exporters, agricultural research-focused NGOs, input suppliers, and technology firms to support the trials. The program also trained more than 500 lead farmers in good agricultural practices to demonstrate the potential for increased yields. To ensure adoption of best practices, GEEL engaged a sesame consultant from Ethiopia to guide activities and provide international market data. The banana competitiveness platform exposed several challenges, including the need to improve quality. GEEL developed a curriculum to train Somali banana farmers overseas based on evidence gathered through photos and videos of current practices. The program also engaged with industry experts in Uganda and South Africa to understand the potential for meristem production and the risk of fusilarium wilt (Panama Disease). Through a comprehensive dairy baseline assessment, GEEL identified more than 50 large and medium-sized peri-urban cow and camel dairy farms engaged in commercial production and marketing of milk and dairy products. The program prioritized support for improving animal genetics, feed and fodder quality and availability, and improvements to the cold chain and hygienic practices. GEEL has worked closely with the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry, and Range (MOLFR) to advance the Dairy Act and Code of Hygienic Practices for Production, Handling, and Distribution of Milk Products. The program has also worked with an animal feed processor to improve the quantity of protein in their feed. Training will be undertaken early in year two on dairy hygiene, and feed and fodder management for lead dairy farmers and pastoralists. The program's focus on improving the business environment and promoting inclusive economic growth is expected to have a positive impact on the Somali economy.