Mogadishu, Somalia — Somalia’s push for climate resilience has taken a significant step forward with the expansion of an IOM-supported indigenous seed bank project at City University in Mogadishu, aimed at preserving local biodiversity, supporting sustainable agriculture, and promoting environmental peacebuilding.
During a recent visit, Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), hailed the project as a symbol of hope and transformation.
“Truly inspired to see how this initiative is preserving indigenous seeds while building local capacity for climate resilience. These are real seeds of recovery towards a stronger future for Somalia,” said Daniels, the IOM representative.
The seed bank initiative, developed in partnership with City University and local agricultural experts, focuses on collecting, storing, and reproducing native Somali seed varieties that are more resilient to harsh climate conditions—such as prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, and soil degradation. These seeds are critical for ensuring food security and ecological balance across Somalia’s fragile ecosystems.
The project also serves as a living laboratory for students and researchers, offering practical training in climate-smart agriculture, soil conservation, and sustainable water use.
It is part of a broader IOM strategy that links migration, climate adaptation, and peacebuilding—particularly in areas where competition over natural resources has fueled local tensions.
Somalia’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change praised the initiative as a model of community-centered innovation, reinforcing the country’s National Adaptation Plan and National Biodiversity Strategy.
“This seed bank not only safeguards our agricultural heritage but equips future generations with tools to survive and thrive amid climate uncertainty,” said Fatima Ismail, Director General at the ministry.
The seed bank is already distributing climate-resilient seeds to farming cooperatives in Lower Shabelle, Galmudug, and parts of Puntland, helping thousands of families adapt to changing weather patterns while reducing reliance on costly imported seeds.
As Somalia grapples with increasing climate shocks—floods in the south, drought in the central regions, and environmental degradation in the north—initiatives like this offer a path toward self-reliance, resilience, and reconciliation.
“It’s not just about seeds. It’s about restoring trust, enabling communities to rebuild livelihoods, and empowering Somalia’s next generation to protect their land,” Daniels added.
