By HAN News Desk
ISTANBUL – Somalia’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mohamed Abdi Hayir (Maareeye), and Türkiye’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ibrahim Yumaklı, held comprehensive discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation in food security, modern farming systems, and agricultural capacity-building during a high-level forum in Istanbul on Friday.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the High-Level Agriculture Ministers’ Panel, held under the theme “Preventing Food and Water Waste – Claiming the Future,” which brought together agricultural policymakers, experts, and development partners to address global challenges related to food scarcity, water management, and sustainable development.
During their talks, the two ministers discussed a wide range of potential areas for collaboration to strengthen Somalia’s agricultural sector, which continues to struggle with recurring droughts, limited irrigation infrastructure, and outdated farming methods. They explored ways to expand irrigation networks to support year-round crop production, provide agricultural equipment and machinery to improve productivity, and enhance Somali farmers’ access to high-quality seeds and climate-appropriate crop varieties. The discussions also covered the introduction of modern farming technologies such as mechanisation, soil testing, and climate-smart agricultural practices, along with training programs to develop the capacity of farmers and agricultural institutions.
The ministers further considered opportunities to enhance cooperation in the trade, storage, and processing of agricultural goods, with the aim of boosting Somalia’s food production and reducing post-harvest losses.
Minister Maareeye praised Türkiye for its long-standing friendship and consistent support to the Somali people, noting that relations between the two countries have strengthened significantly over the past decade across numerous sectors including humanitarian assistance, infrastructure, health, and security. He emphasized Somalia’s commitment to deepening this partnership, writing on X that the country will continue to advance its strong and strategic collaboration with Türkiye for the benefit of both nations.
Türkiye reaffirmed its readiness to expand its support to Somalia, particularly in the areas of food security, water management, and sustainable agriculture. Minister Yumaklı underscored Türkiye’s commitment to long-term cooperation, stating on X that Turkey will continue strengthening its solidarity with Somalia and pursuing robust collaboration.
The renewed engagement between the two countries highlights the growing potential of their partnership in agriculture, a sector that employs a significant portion of Somalia’s population. Increased support in irrigation development, modern equipment, and food production is expected to play a vital role in Somalia’s economic recovery and long-term stability. Technical teams from both ministries are expected to follow up on the discussions in the coming months to define concrete projects and investment plans.
