Empowering farmers for long-term change in Somalia

The BRiCS (Building Resilient Communities in Somalia) consortium is a collaborative programme designed to strengthen community resilience across Somalia. It brings together several national and international organizations, each contributing unique expertise and capacity.  

BRiCS is led by the Norwegian Refugee Council in close partnership with Concern Worldwide, Action Against Hunger, International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Save the Children. In addition, two national NGOs, GREDO, KAALO Aid and Development and  Gargaar Relief and Development Organisation (GREDO), play a critical role in implementing activities at the grassroots level.  

By working together, the BRiCS consortium aims to create sustainable solutions to the recurring humanitarian crises in Somalia. It focuses on key areas such as food security, water and sanitation, livelihoods, and disaster risk reduction, ultimately supporting Somali communities to better withstand and recover from shocks. By combining international expertise with local knowledge, the BRiCS consortium works to create sustainable, community-led solutions that enhance long-term resilience and reduce dependency on emergency aid in Somalia. 

Born and raised in Bulo Asharaf, Somalia, Mumino has spent her entire life farming, a skill passed down from her parents. However, despite her deep connection to the land, she faced many challenges.  

As a female farmer with limited formal education and little access to farming skills, managing her farm growing maize, spinach and tomatoes, while raising six children alone was an ongoing struggle. 

“There are seven of us in the house. I have four boys and two girls, and my eldest is only 14.”  

A lack of financial resources, access to proper water systems and farming techniques, made it difficult for Mumino to fully support her family. 

The intervention of Concern working with national partner organisation, Lifeline Gedo with the BRCiS consortium provides empowerment to farmers like Mumino, designed to create long-term change. The programme built a canal in Mumino’s village to transport water from the river and provided agricultural extension training her on how to diversify her production. Through the training, she also received consultations on key agricultural topics such as crop rotation, soil management, and other improved farming techniques. One important aspect of the training focused on helping her diversify her crop production, allowing her to grow a variety of crops instead of relying on just one. Concern therefore provided seeds for high-yield crops including bananas and beans. 

Concern also installed a solar-powered irrigation system in the community, providing farmers with a reliable and sustainable water source for their crops, especially during dry seasons. By using free and renewable solar energy, it reduces the need for costly fuel or electricity, lowers environmental impact, and allows farmers to grow food year-round. The system in Mumino’s community has helped more than 300 families. 

Concern has been working to establish a broader community initiative involving local leaders and other female farmers, along with Resource Committees (members were selected by the community) who help oversee water distribution fairly. The community have already undertaken large-scale efforts to desilt primary canals and reinforce riverbanks, building resilience against future floods. Involving local authorities in planning and monitoring ensured that the project was tailored to the community’s needs and sustainable in the long term.  

The impact of Concern’s intervention on Mumino’s life has been profound. In Somalia's Gedo region, were Mumino lives, female farmers are a shift from traditional barriers by taking on agricultural roles to support their families. Women now manage crop cultivation, livestock care, and the growing vegetables to overcome challenges in this traditionally male-dominated sector. With access to water and new farming skills, she has transformed her farm into a stable source of food and income. “Now, my animals can feed on the vegetable off-cuts, so I don’t have to buy food for them anymore, saving me $0.50 every day” she shared.  

For Mumino, not needing to buy food for her animals has been more than just a financial saving; it represents the chance to invest in her family’s future and meet their daily needs without constant economic strain. Her children’s diet has improved significantly, with fresh vegetables from their own farm filling their meals. The money saved on animal feed is now used to buy other essentials, improving their overall quality of life.  

Concern’s BRCiS Project Manager, Abdulkadir, spoke with pride about Mumino’s progress, describing her as a powerful example of the programme’s impact. “She represented the challenges and potential we see in so many female farmers here, with a drive to improve her farm but lacked the resources to get there. Her success now speaks to the programme’s effectiveness, as well as her resilience and determination.”  

Her journey, he explained, also illustrates the importance of timing in providing assistance. “The project launched during the hunger gap, a critical period when many farmers are forced to take out loans to make it through until the next harvest. For Mumino, it arrived just in time to help her plant new crops and reduce her reliance on community loans. Now, she has a level of food security and stability that keeps her out of the debt cycle. For female farmers like her, this program has been a game-changer.”  

The transformation of Mumino’s life and farm is a testament to the support and training she received from Concern Worldwide. What began as a small operation struggling to keep up with daily needs has now blossomed into a thriving farm that not only feeds her family but also her livestock and provides surplus for future ambitions. Her story reflects the power of agricultural intervention in improving lives and empowering female farmers.