The agriculture sector is the only sector that contributes more than 60 percent to Somalia’s total GDP. But at the same time, it has the most challenges. The biggest challenge to this sector is the weather here. Climatically, there is a lack of rainfall in Somalia, which leads to widespread drought and crop production. Due to climate change, more than 3.8 million people are suffering from famine and lack of food.
Due to all these reasons, people must migrate on a large scale, which creates new problems. Due to climate change, there is a reduction in crops by 40-60%. Shortage of crops affects humans as well as animals and birds. A major share of the GDP is associated with the livestock sector and many animals die every year due to food insecurity.
To deal with these challenges, it is important to make policies at the government level and promote foreign investment. Resources should be created to conserve rain and flood water. Political instability should be ended here.
Decline in Agricultural Productivity
Agriculture is one of the most affected sectors due to climate change in Somalia and another related sector is livestock. Both sectors are the backbone of the country. Due to climate change, crops are reduced by 60%, and due to this reduction, famine is faced. People are forced to migrate in search of food, making more than 70 percent of the population dependent on humanitarian aid.
Impact on Livestock and Pastoralism
As mentioned above, climate change directly affects the agriculture sector, and the livestock sector associated with agriculture. When there is a shortage in the crops, then the animals also must go through this difficult situation. About 40 to 60 percent of people in Somalia are associated with cattle. Obviously, for rearing cattle, it is important to provide them with food on time. But when faced with the production of crops, the loss of livestock deaths also must be seen. It is necessary to promote foreign investment and introduce modern methods of cattle rearing. Measures should be taken to conserve food and rainwater.
Food Insecurity and Humanitarian Crises
About 3.8 million people in Somalia are suffering from malnutrition. Due to climate change in Somalia, the loss of crops and loss of livestock cannot be calculated. And for this reason, every year several lakhs of people migrate, which increases the dependence of more than 70 percent of people on external and humanitarian aid. The economy faces severe losses. Due to the increase in unemployment among the people of Somalia, there is an increase in illegal activities. The security system is also affected.
Finally, many sectors are affected by climate change in Somalia, agriculture and livestock are the most prominent. Agriculture and livestock are the sectors that contribute the most to the total GDP. And many other fields relate to these two fields. Crop failure leads to food shortages and food shortages lead to displacement of people and livestock deaths. Millions of people are becoming increasingly dependent on humanitarian aid. It is necessary to introduce modern methods to preserve rain and flood water and grains for a long time.
