In general context of Somaliland economy, it mainly
depends on livestock production, which has historically and culturally been the
mainstay of livelihood for the majority of the people. Moreover, farming sector
is predominantly subsistence through rain-fed production of cereals mainly
sorghum and maize. Rain-fed farming is estimated for 90% and irrigation 10% of
all agricultural activities in the country where the livestock production
contributes 60% of the GDP and about 85% of foreign export earnings.
On March 3, 2014 Somaliland government launched a campaign of awareness
rising named “a week of food and water security compaign”. The policy behind
this campaign was persuading the people to consume locally cultivated crops and
by increasing production and productivity. The idea was welcomed and appreciated
at first place. As the Somaliland in figures show, in 2013 the government allocated
to the productive sector $ 11,537,249,755 which
was expected to
empower the capacity skills and technical knowhow of local farmers with respect
to increase their production and productivity (crops, livestock and fisheries).
Unfortunately, upto date our government not yet
intended to invest and to subsidise small farmers on marketplace or to support
overhead costs of farmers, like seeds, cultivation tractors, water pump
machines and even pipelines. Similarly, other big business entities do not want
to invest our small farmers. As the Somaliland in figures published the
quantity of food imported in 2013 for the first quarter were 105,579 tons and
the second year quantity food imported of 2014 first quarter 108,339 tons, and
this year the quantity food imported of 2015 first quarter 102,675 tons. Additionally,
the consumer price index on imported food has shown increase in first quarter
of 2013 ($212,) 2014 ($226) and 2015 ($238). Therefore, the food price index
rises each year and the production is zero.
It is a fact that our government allocated almost
half of the country’s budget and spent in our Army forces which have entitled
to allot. In 2013 as the Somaliland figures shows, it allocates in Security
Sector approx $ 275,748,151,762 and it has the right to allocate them because they
sacrificed themselves to death and harm by protecting any kind of threat, as article
123 of Somaliland constitution states that
“the national Armed Forces shall be responsible for protecting and defending
the independence of the country. In addition, they shall, when needed,
undertake duties in periods of state of emergency, in accordance with the
Constitution.”
In my opinion, I see as an idle resource (the Army)
for economic prospect which is only consumption pillar. In this case, I wonder why the
government not utilized their army force for the production means (digging
wells, constrution dams, gullies and farm extention); for sake of securing food
needed by its citizens whom cannot afford to pay the higher price of imported
food. Nevertheless, Army’s participantion and engagement of crop cultivation to increase
production supply will help country’s economy growth and it will immediately
increase food stock available in marketplace and consumers easily accessible to
buy with reliable and stable price and it will utililize to feed country as
whole. Then, this will be tangible outcome from production output. If the government
exploits its army in production means, it will help country’s economic growth.
In my
conclusion, today the geopolitics of the region of Horn of Africa is based on
mutual interest and understanding. Hence Somaliland is not facing direct threat
or hostility from neighboring countries or other countries. Therefore, I would
like to suggest the army force should participate in country’s production means.
Adam
Ahmed Adam
The
author is economist based in Erigavo, Sanaag region of Somaliland.
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