Somali Pastoralists Embrace Feedlots to Boost Livestock Productivity and Export Growth

Somali Pastoralists Embrace Feedlots to Boost Livestock Productivity and Export Growth

Somali pastoralists are increasingly turning to modern livestock practices as part of a broader effort to strengthen resilience, improve productivity, and increase export earnings from the country’s most important economic sector.

In mid-December 2025, pastoralists from across Galmudug gathered in Adado for a five-day practical training focused on feedlot management, controlled feeding, fodder production, and basic animal health. The workshop, held from December 9 to 13, was organized under a nationwide program led by the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range, with support from the World Bank–funded HoA DRIVE Somalia project.

Participants say the training offered practical solutions to challenges long faced by pastoral communities, particularly drought, declining pastures, and volatile markets. By learning how to grow fodder and manage feedlots, herders are gaining tools that allow them to maintain animal health and weight even during dry seasons.

Livestock accounts for roughly 80 percent of Somalia’s export earnings, making productivity gains a national priority. Feedlots supported by cultivated fodder provide a reliable alternative to open grazing, helping producers meet export standards year-round while reducing losses linked to drought and seasonal price fluctuations.

Government officials describe feedlots not only as a productivity measure but also as a critical drought mitigation strategy. When grazing lands fail, feedlots allow herders to keep animals in good condition, avoid distress sales, and better time their entry into the market.

The initiative is part of a wider reform agenda under the HoA DRIVE Somalia project, which includes the rollout of the Somali Livestock Identification and Traceability System (SOMLITS), upgrades to veterinary laboratory capacity, and the digitization of export health certification. Together, these reforms aim to improve disease control, food safety, and trade efficiency while building confidence in Somali livestock across regional and international markets.

As trainings expand to other regions, officials hope to link improved feeding practices with access to finance and animal health services, supporting job creation, higher rural incomes, and sustained growth in livestock exports. For many pastoralists returning home from Adado, the message is clear: Somalia’s pastoral economy is evolving from survival-based practices toward a more planned, market-oriented future.