Tag: frankincense

White Paper: Addressing the Neglect of Critical Sectors in Somalia’s Education and Policy Frameworks

Revitalizing Livestock, Fisheries, Agriculture, and Frankincense for Sustainable Development

Executive Summary

Somalia’s economy hinges on four key sectors: livestock, fisheries, agriculture, and frankincense. These sectors employ over 70% of the population and contribute significantly to GDP, yet they suffer systemic neglect in education, vocational training, and policy. This white paper highlights the consequences of this negligence and provides actionable recommendations to realign priorities, ensuring sustainable livelihoods and economic resilience, particularly in Puntland’s Bari Region, a hub for frankincense production.

1. Introduction

Somalia’s arid climate and extensive coastline position it to thrive in livestock, fisheries, rain-fed agriculture, and frankincense. However, decades of conflict, climate shocks, and institutional fragility have stifled growth. Despite their economic importance, these sectors remain marginalized in education and governance, perpetuating poverty and food insecurity. This paper examines the root causes of this neglect and proposes solutions.

2. Current State of Key Sectors

Livestock

  • Contribution: Accounts for ~40% of GDP and 80% of export earnings.
  • Challenges: Overreliance on traditional practices, disease outbreaks, and climate vulnerability.

Fisheries

  • Potential: 3,300 km coastline with untapped resources; current production is <5% of capacity.
  • Challenges: Illegal fishing, lack of cold storage, and poor market access.

Agriculture

  • Role: Supports 30% of the population but is rain-fed and climate-sensitive.
  • Challenges: Soil degradation, outdated techniques, and limited irrigation.

Frankincense (Bari Region, Puntland State)

  • Global Demand: Somalia produces 80% of the world’s frankincense, yet lacks value-added processing.
  • Challenges: Overharvesting, lack of certification, and weak market linkages.

3. Educational and Vocational Neglect

  • Universities: Focus on humanities and IT, with minimal courses on agronomy, veterinary sciences, or sustainable forestry.
  • Vocational Schools: Lack equipment and curricula tailored to sector needs (e.g., modern fishing techniques, resin processing).
  • Urban Perception: Youth view these sectors as “backward,” preferring formal employment in cities.

4. Government Policy Gaps

  • Funding: <2% of national budgets allocated to agriculture or natural resource development.
  • Infrastructure: No processing plants for frankincense or fish, poor rural roads.
  • Regulation: Weak enforcement against illegal fishing and unsustainable harvesting.

5. Consequences of Neglect

  • Economic: Lost revenue (e.g., $300M/year estimated loss from illegal fishing).
  • Social: Youth unemployment (67%), rural-urban migration, and food insecurity (5.6M face hunger).
  • Environmental: Deforestation, overgrazing, and fishery depletion.

6. Recommendations

For Educational Institutions

  • Introduce degree programs in agribusiness, marine biology, and resin chemistry.
  • Partner with cooperatives for hands-on training in frankincense harvesting and livestock management.

For Government

  • Prioritize sector funding and establish a Frankincense Development Authority in Bari Region.
  • Invest in infrastructure (e.g., processing facilities, irrigation systems).

For International Partners

  • Support vocational centers with grants and technology transfers (e.g., solar dryers for fisheries).
  • Advocate for certification schemes (e.g., Fair Trade frankincense).

For Communities

  • Promote youth engagement through awareness campaigns and microgrants for startups.

7. Conclusion

Somalia’s neglect of its core sectors undermines its development potential. By realigning education, policy, and investment, the country can transform these sectors into engines of growth. Puntland’s Bari Region, with its frankincense heritage, offers a strategic starting point. Immediate action is critical to avert further crises and harness Somalia’s natural wealth for future generations.

Endorsed by: WDM/Ismail Warsame
Contact: iwarsame@ismailwarsame.blog/ismailwarsame@gmail.com/@ismailwarsame  WhatsApp: +252 90 703 4081

SOMALIS ARE LUCKY STILL TO EXIST IN THE COUNTRY

A strange man, sitting across at my teatable, and suspecting I was from the diaspora, asked me the other day, “what is the strangest thing you noticed in Somalia since you came back?” That was a question I didn’t expect, and I must admit that I was almost helpless to come up with any response. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, I uttered an equally surprising answer: “Somalis don’t pay attention to studying and preserving their national heritage”. They seem to be borrowing lifestyles from the Arabs and West. He said that he didn’t look at Somali traditions and customs that way. A colleague of mine joined us right there at that moment and sat beside me. I informed him that the other gentleman sitting opposite us whom I met first time asked me what was the strangest thing I have noticed in Somalia lately. “Why didn’t you tell him that five livelihoods Somalis depend on are livestock, fish, frankincense, agriculture and environment. None of them constitute a priority for their care. Do you think Somalis will survive in the long-term?” My colleague lectured. I was dumbfounded to suddenly realize the fundamental fact exposed and how common sense it was.

Consider the facts that there were no vocational schools or colleges in fishery, livestock, frankincense, farming and the environment, critical areas of our survival in this country as human species. There are no records or historical references and statistics on these livelihoods for centuries.

The irony of our existence is how come we never consider this truth about our paradoxical existence? Is it too late to do something about it?

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are all wrong-headed in life. Let us seek salvation for our continued survival by paying more attention and care to our livelihoods.