Increased climate resilience, food, and livelihood security for agro- pastoralists in Somaliland.

Distribution of Geo-Plastic Sheets  🌱
 
2,500 smallholder farmers have improved access to water for agricultural use 
 
With the primary goal of serving multiple purposes, such as agriculture, livestock watering, and domestic use. Geo-plastic sheets reduce the water vulnerability of households to drought and seasonal variations in rainfall.
 
However, these inputs will assist the community to survive, mitigate the coming dry situations, and improve water harvesting, both rainwater harvest and others.
 
As part of our ongoing efforts to combat the impacts of climate change, these geo-plastic sheets will play a crucial role in protecting crops and enhancing resilience in the face of extreme weather conditions. 
 
By providing these durable and innovative sheets, we aim to minimize crop damage caused by unpredictable weather patterns, while also maximizing the yield and quality of agricultural produce. Our ultimate goal is to ensure food security and sustainable livelihoods for the resilient farmers in Beer village.
 
Through this successful distribution and other ongoing initiatives, we are empowering farmers to adapt to climate change, protect their crops, and secure a prosperous future for themselves and their families. 
 
We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our partners Development Fund Norway.
 
Your generous contributions enable us to continue our vital work in combating climate change and promoting sustainable agriculture.
 
Two Days of Community Seed Bank Management for Reversing Business Plan 🌱
 
This training will expect clear business ideas that contribute to income generation and enhance the future sustainability of the community seed bank. The duration of the training will be 2 days in Beer village, Burao District, Togdheer region.
The training specifically concentrates on and contains all essential business development modules, such as those on the factors that drive business, the value chain, market understanding, and risk management strategies, among others.
 
The aim of this training workshop is to empower farmers and local communities to become self-sufficient and to develop sustainable sources of seed for their fields. We believe that community seed banks are crucial for ensuring food security, promoting crop diversity, and building more resilient agricultural systems.
 
The main objective is to review the existing beer community seed bank business plans and develop an implementation business idea that has a clear sales and marketing strategy in order to generate income for CSB. Furthermore, training is to be supported among decision-makers on the CSB and other stakeholders, including ADO, to find solutions to challenges that lack a source of income generation. Moreover, the focus of the training will be on engaging farmers in decision-making processes and methodically consulting and involving them in conversations that could have a significant impact on their seed marketing and sales output.
Training of Community Beed Bank Management for Reversing Business Plan participants:
Women – 14
Men – 6
Total – 20

Seed handling and Development Training for CSB management committees and Government extensions in Beer Villages in 15 farmers, CSB and 2 Government extensionists  🌱

The overall objective of the training is to describe the major steps required for seed handling, processing, and storage in seed banks, increase farmers; understanding of good seed handling practices and technologies and foster the production, harvesting,
processing, storage, sale, and transportation of seeds.
 
This Capacity building training will increase the knowledge and skills of farmers to enable them to foster better seed production and productivity. Furthermore, During the training, it will discuss seed handling, seed storage and seed processing techniques to
enable farmers produce quality seeds and better manage seed banks. Seed production plays a vital role in agricultural productivity, as the quality and quantity of seeds used for planting directly impact crop yield. High-quality seeds can increase crop yield, reduce production costs, and enhance the nutritional content of crops.
Self-Help Groups: Women’s groups in 4 villages in Togdheer and Sanaag—140 women attended self-help groups 🌱
 
140 women (40 Xidhxidh, 40 Gaacidh, 40 Midhisho, and 20 Boodhley) in Sanaag and Togdheer, ADO formed self-help groups in Boodhley, Xidhxidh, Gaacidh, and Midhisho.
 
This SHG aims at promoting simple financial services for pastoral and agro-pastoral households to increase income so that basic needs can be met, as well as to create investment opportunities for alternative sources of livelihood, improving financial capability that helps expand existing businesses and create small businesses.
 

ADO sees the tremendous potential in nurturing and supporting women’s self-help groups. We will continue to strengthen these groups by providing ongoing mentoring, organizing training sessions, and establishing linkages with financial institutions and market opportunities.

Through the power of self-help and community support, we are confident that these women will thrive as influential change-makers and catalysts for sustainable development in Togdheer and Sanaag. ADO remains committed to empowering women in these regions, reinforcing their strengths, and enabling them to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

 

Training and distribution of farmer cooperatives to 20 men and women with bee-keeping practices in the Gaacidh and Xidh Xidh regions of Sanaag 🌱

This initiative aimed to equip farmers with the necessary skills and materials to engage in sustainable beekeeping practices.

ADO conducted 6 days training on Bee-keeping and Honey production.  ADO distributed all materials needed for honey production for 20 farmer cooperative members in Gaacidh, Xidhxidh villages and Sanaag region.

Beekeeping plays a vital role in both the agricultural sector and the overall well-being of ecosystems. Through this training, participants gained valuable knowledge about beekeeping techniques, hive management, honey extraction, and the importance of maintaining healthy bee colonies.

By providing beekeeping materials, including hives, protective gear, and tools, ADO enabled farmers to establish their own hives and integrate beekeeping into their agricultural practices. This presents a significant opportunity for farmers to diversify their income sources, enhance crop yields through improved pollination, and contribute to the conservation of local flora and fauna.

The importance of this training and distribution of beekeeping materials cannot be overstated. Firstly, it offers an alternative source of income for farmers, reducing their reliance on traditional agricultural practices and providing them with a resilient and sustainable livelihood option. As beekeeping can be practiced with relatively smaller land sizes, it is particularly beneficial for small-scale farmers and those with limited resources.

Furthermore, the integration of pollinator-friendly practices, such as beekeeping, promotes biodiversity and environmental conservation. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating many food crops, ensuring successful fruit and seed production. By supporting farmers in adopting beekeeping practices, ADO is actively contributing to food security and farming sustainability.

Moreover, the distribution of beekeeping materials and training serves as a means of empowering both men and women farmers in the Gaacidh and Xidh Xidh regions. It provides them with new skills, knowledge, and opportunities to actively participate in income-generating activities and decision-making processes related to their agricultural practices. Promoting gender equality and inclusion is a key aspect of ADO’s mission, and this initiative is a step towards achieving that goal.

ADO recognizes the potential of beekeeping as a tool for rural development, poverty reduction, and environmental conservation. We will continue to support and strengthen farmer cooperatives, providing them with the necessary resources and training to thrive in their beekeeping endeavors.

Through the training and distribution of beekeeping materials, ADO aims to create a sustainable and beneficial relationship between farmers, bees, and the environment. This initiative will contribute to the overall economic growth, improved livelihoods, and conservation of biodiversity in the Gaacidh and Xidh Xidh regions of Sanaag.

Construction of 82,500 linear meters of soil bunds in our beloved Beer Village 🌱
 
These soil bunds are a game-changer when it comes to protecting our soil and water resources. By reducing the velocity of runoff and soil erosion, they ensure our precious soil stays exactly where it should be – right where our farms need it! 
But that’s not all! These bunds also have the amazing ability to retain water behind them, which is a huge advantage for our agricultural practices.  Farmers in Beer Village can now benefit from the improved soil moisture and water availability, helping their crops thrive even during dry spells. 
And that’s not just it! These soil bunds support water infiltration, allowing the water to seep into the ground and replenish our groundwater reserves.   A win-win situation for both the environment and our farming community!  
The main objective of the construction of soil bunds was to improve the land productivity and sustainability of agro-pastoral systems in Beer Village in Somaliland.
So let’s all applaud ADO for their incredible efforts in conserving soil and water resources, creating a sustainable future for Beer Village.  Let’s continue to support initiatives like this that prioritize the health of our land and the prosperity of our community. Together, we can make a difference!