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Research Article | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2766-2314/087
1 Erciyes University. Turkey.
2 Zamzam University of Science and Technology, Somalia.
*Corresponding Author: Mohamed Said, Erciyes University, Turkey.
Citation: Mohamed Said, Abdullahi Bashir, (2023), Analysis of Climate Change Impacts on Food Security in Somalia, J Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, 4(1); DOI: 10.31579/2766-2314/087
Copyright: © 2023, Meysam Saeedi. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Received: 06 January 2023 | Accepted: 16 January 2023 | Published: 24 January 2023
Keywords: climate change; food security; environmental issues; somalia
This study uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore the impact of climate change on food security in Somalia. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews with a sample size of 80, consisting of farmers, agricultural teachers, students, and environmental workers in the surrounding area. The findings show significant changes in precipitation and temperature leading to land degradation and other environmental challenges, ultimately leading to water shortages and degradation of crops and livestock. Famine is the cause of food insecurity and subsequent flooding in Somalia. Based on the findings, policy interventions are recommended to address food shortages in the country. These interventions should focus on promoting sustainable research and development of food and vegetable crops, facilitating the adaptation and use of appropriate agricultural technologies and being effective, and helping farmers adapt to changing environments. This study highlights the importance of sustainable crop production as a way to reduce high food insecurity in Somalia. In addition, these measures can help reduce the risk of significant developments and communities' exposure to climate risks. The research supports ongoing efforts to maintain a healthier and more stable environment in the country by revealing the specific impacts of climate change on food security in Somalia and providing actionable recommendations. Implementation of this policy is essential to addressing the challenges posed by climate change and ensuring food security for the Somali people in the future.
The weather changes around the world identify the major contributors of greenhouse gases (particularly carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) released into the earth's atmosphere from fossil fuel combustion, intensive agriculture, and deforestation. [1] Scientists and researchers agree that climate change has an impact on 36 types of agriculture. As the world experiences population growth, changing diet patterns, and rising incomes, the demand for food is expected to increase in the future. [2] Millions of people's livelihoods and access to food security are likely to be threatened by the negative effects of such climate changes, which might affect almost every sector of the African economy. [3] Over the following decades, climate change is anticipated to have an impact on food security in Africa in addition to population expansion. Undernourishment is still a major issue in Africa, despite the advancements made over the past 25 years, and there is still much room for development. In fact, the area still lags behind the rest of the globe in eradicating chronic hunger. Fighting hunger and attaining food security in Africa continue to be difficult tasks, especially considering climate change, as is the case with achieving food security on a worldwide basis.[4] Almost all African economies are estimated to be at risk from the adverse effects of this climate change, which affects millions of people's food security and loss of livelihoods. East and South Africa also made some progress, but the central sub-region fell behind on both targets. The number of undernourished people in Central Africa has increased significantly since 1990 due to population growth, and conflict... [5]
In the context of Somalia, agriculture remains the backbone of the Somali economy as it contributes approximately 75% of the GDP and 93% of the country's total income. [6] In fact, according to the Global Development Center based in Somalia, which is one of the safest countries in the world regarding climate change, environmental factors, especially climate change, are the biggest problems. [7] Climate change appears critical to food security in Somalia. The quality and availability of livestock and rain-fed crops are two pillars of jobs and rural livelihoods that are directly affected by climate. Somalia is a semi-arid climate. Only two regions received 400–600 mm of rain - a small region in the northwest and the Shabelle and Juba valleys. Droughts are common, with mild to moderate droughts occurring every 3–4 years and major droughts occurring every 8–10 years. [8]
On the one hand, the temperature has greatly affected agriculture in Somalia. It increases evaporation and reduces humidity, resulting in drier conditions and no rain. This ultimately reduces the amount of water available in irrigation, resulting in a sharp drop in crop yield. As a result, Somalia has faced drought in recent years that has hampered the development of agriculture. According to the FAO and the World Bank (2018), the 2017 drought caused losses of US$71 million in four main crops grown in Somalia, US$35 million in corn and sorghum, US$9 million, and US$28 million in cowpea. [9] Flooding, on the other hand, is another form of climate change that degrades crops, destroys property, displaces families and sometimes takes the lives of vulnerable people.
Flooding usually occurs during the rainy season as rainwater overflows from existing waterways. For example, the last flood in 2019 claimed many lives, displaced 412,000 people, and destroyed crops.[10] In addition, Somalia experienced typhoons that reduced soil fertility and thus affected the productivity of farmland. [11] Changes in precipitation patterns, coupled with changes in temperature, can indicate poor growth and subsequently reduce crop production, leading to food shortages and famine after a bad meal. Therefore, the importance of this study is to understand the short and long side of the process underlying these changes to determine their impact on crop production and food safety.
This study uses descriptive research methods and specifically uses research methods to explore research objectives. The target group includes small farmers engaged in agriculture. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews, which are the main tools of data collection. The study population includes 100 workers, including ranchers, agricultural lecturers at the Somalia Agricultural University, students, and environmental workers.
A sample size of 80 participants was selected using purposive sampling. This exemplary design allows participants to be selected based on their skills and relevance to the study, ensuring accuracy and knowledge of data collection. The samples consisted of key informants, including 21 farmers, 9 agricultural trainers, 36 students, and 14 environmental workers. These individuals were specifically selected for their knowledge and involvement with agriculture, making them the best people to provide insight into the research topic. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program. This analysis tool provides a good and rigorous analysis of the collected data, making it easy to organize data, tabulate and calculate relevant frequencies.
Figure 1: Demographic Information.
As shown in the above Figure 75% of the majority of respondents were male and 25% were female. This shows that the male Respondents of the study were more than contributed females in the study. In age respondents, 67% agreed at the age of 18–25 Years, while 24% of the respondents are at the age between 26–30 Years, likewise 5% of the respondents are above 30 Years, and 4% of the respondents are under 18 years, thus this points out that majority of the respondents aged between 18–25. According to the above
table, 69% of the majority of respondents were Bachelor holders while 24% of respondents were Graduate students, the minority of respondents 7% were High school level, and none of the participants were non-formal educated as the study emphasizes. The above table explains that 45% majority Contributed were Students 26% of the study respondents were farmers 18% of the study participations were Environmental activists and 11% were lecturers, this means that most occupation of the respondents were students of different levels from different universities in Mogadishu.
| Variables | N | Percentage |
| Perceptions about Changing Rainfall in Somalia | ||
| Irregularity | 50 | 63 |
| Decreased | 21 | 23 |
| Constant | 9 | 11 |
| Perceptions about Temperature Change Somalia | ||
| Increased | 52 | 65 |
| Constant | 16 | 20 |
| Decreased | 12 | 15 |
| Climate change has affected on the performance of rainfed crop production | ||
| Strong agree | 22 | 28 |
| Agree | 41 | 51 |
| Disagree | 5 | 6 |
| Strong disagree | 12 | 15 |
| Climate change results destroyed the potential for livestock production | ||
| Strong agree | 22 | 27 |
| Agree | 39 | 49 |
| Disagree | 5 | 6 |
| Strong disagree | 14 | 18 |
| Farmers in Somalia will need to adapt to inevitable environmental changes and their destructive impacts | ||
| Strong agree | 45 | 56 |
| Agree | 19 | 24 |
| Disagree | 8 | 10 |
| Strong disagree | 8 | 10 |
| Without climate change adaptation policies, the food insecurity situation will continue to worsen | ||
| Strong agree | 35 | 44 |
| Agree | 22 | 27 |
| Disagree | 13 | 16 |
| Strong disagree | 10 | 13 |
| Food security challenges in Somalia are caused by the severe change in weather patterns | ||
| Strong agree | 15 | 19 |
| Agree | 36 | 45 |
| Disagree | 18 | 22 |
| Strong disagree | 11 | 14 |
| Land degradation, exacerbated by climate change and population pressure, is a significant driver of food insecurity in Somalia | ||
| Strong agree | 16 | 20 |
| Agree | 40 | 50 |
| Disagree | 18 | 22 |
| Strong disagree | 6 | 8 |
| Agriculture and livestock production systems get damaged, or annihilated in some cases, it takes a long time to regenerate and recover | ||
| Strongly agree | 11 | 14 |
| Agree | 46 | 57 |
| Disagree | 15 | 19 |
| Strongly disagree | 8 | 10 |
| The most common driver of food insecurity in Somali | ||
| Floods | 20 | 25 |
| Drought | 41 | 51 |
| Lack of climate change adaptation policies. | 19 | 24 |
| * Percentage do not add up to 100%, because of multiple responses | ||
Table 1: Impacts of Climate Change on Food Security in Somalia
In the study area, the respondents indicated that rainfall patterns have changed. Approximately 63% of the respondents agreed that there is an irregularity in rainfall, while 26
The study highlights the significant threat that climate change poses to Somalia, particularly in terms of inter-annual rainfall variation and increasing temperatures. The changing climate patterns have disrupted water resources, impacting agriculture and livestock production. Farmers have experienced declines in crop production due to irregular rainfall and temperature changes. Excessive rainfall has led to flooding, destroying crops, while droughts and long dry seasons have caused severe food insecurity. Livestock production, heavily dependent on natural pastures, suffers from rain failures, resulting in various challenges such as economic losses, malnutrition, and reduced milk output. Staple food crops like maize and sorghum have seen decreased production due to recurrent droughts and hydrological droughts, exacerbating food insecurity. Environmental problems of human origin, including deforestation, hazardous waste dumping, and unsustainable agricultural practices, contribute to land degradation and poor harvests. However, some adaptation measures have been implemented, such as water reservoirs for irrigation during dry seasons and the use of greenhouses, and improved irrigation methods. The study concludes that the decline in crop production in Somalia is closely linked to changes in rainfall patterns and emphasizes the importance of policy support and research and development for sustainable crop production to mitigate food insecurity.
The findings of this research highlight the urgent need for action by various stakeholders to address the challenges posed by climate change in Somalia. The government should prioritize the development and implementation of robust climate change adaptation policies that focus on sustainable agriculture and livestock production. Adequate resources should be allocated to support farmers in adopting climate-smart practices and to enhance their capacity through training programs. Strengthening early warning systems and improving coordination among government agencies is crucial to enhance preparedness and response to climate-related disasters. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) should work closely with local communities and farmers to provide technical support, and capacity-building programs, and advocate for policies that prioritize climate change adaptation and food security. Additionally, farmers themselves should adapt their farming practices by implementing climate-smart techniques and utilizing sustainable land and water management approaches. By implementing these recommendations, stakeholders can collectively contribute to building resilience, reducing food insecurity, and mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change in Somalia.
Conflict of Interest: No competing interests reported.
Statement of Ethics Approval: The research conducted for this study involving human subjects has received the necessary ethical approval. The study protocol and procedures were thoroughly reviewed and approved by the 3rd International Graduate Studies Congress Committee, where the abstract of this study was presented. The ethics committee carefully evaluated the research design, methodology, potential risks, and benefits associated with the study. The committee ensured that the rights and welfare of the participants were protected throughout the research process. Informed consent was obtained from all participants, and their privacy and confidentiality were strictly maintained. The study protocol followed the ethical guidelines and principles outlined by the 3rd International Graduate Studies Congress Committee, as well as relevant national and international regulations governing research involving human participants. We are committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in our research and have taken all necessary measures to ensure the well-being and rights of the participants.
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