Proposal for priority actions in the reconstruction and development process of Somalia : contribution on agro-pastoralism and forestry

This document proposes elements of strategy and priority actions to be integrated in the National Action Plan of Somalia regarding the agro-pastoralism and forestry sector. This list of possible interventions was made to support decision - making in the field of post-war development. As the experts were not able to go to Somalia, the identification of potential interventions was mainly made through bibliographic evaluation. The document is structured as follow: After a brief presentation of the sector review and the problems to be addressed, the objectives/goals and intervention strategies are described. Priority actions are finally presented. Sustainable management of natural resources will drive Somalia's productive capacity but current massive degradation of natural resources results in a serious threat to livelihoods and future development. Pastoralism has a large impact on the environment and, hence, it needs to be considered in conjunction with natural resource management. In order to stop degradation of rangelands, the current trend of tree over-cutting needs to be reversed. The charcoal export ban must be enforced and the development of alternative energies (gas, kerosene, fuel) in towns should be supported. Livestock production and management strategies will also need to be aligned with seasonal fodder availability. Changes in flock management, production and marketing strategies by selling animals at younger ages should increase the rentability of livestock husbandry. A trend towards lowering stocking rates during the drier period of the year will also contribute to the long term rehabilitation of rangelands. On the other hand, livestock nutrition needs to be improved in order to increase milk and meat production for local consumption and export. For that purpose, strategies for increasing fodder production and quality during the dry season on rangeland as well as on irrigated land were identified. Strategies for wide use of multipurpose trees were identified to increase production of wood, fodder, food, gum and resins. Crop and pasture protection and soil fertility conservation and amelioration are important services that trees can provide while diversifying production and generating income revenues. For tree exports such as Frankincense and Gum Arabic, sustainable improvement of supply chain networks is a prerequisite to guarantee the stability of economic returns to producers and collectors. A general agro-ecological zoning should be carried out throughout the country in order to identify homogeneous land use systems and related constraints and development needs. The public sector will need to address specific environmental issues such as fuel-wood conservation and land-use planning in the context of extensive natural resource use by the private sector. Training adequate professional and technical staff and extension agents in the areas of pastoralism, horticulture and forestry is a necessity. Regarding rangeland, livestock and agroforestry management, priorities to the different intervention strategies listed in the present document need to be defined in relation to the different stakeholders and target beneficiary groups in the different regions. (Résumé d'auteur)