Summary: Agricultural and Livestock Services in the Juba Valley
1. Introduction
This report analyzes the structure and performance of agricultural services in Somalia's Juba Valley, emphasizing their critical role in supporting farmers and livestock producers. The study was conducted in 1984 by Wolfgang Haupt under the Advisory Assistance to the Ministry of Juba Valley Development project, implemented by the Somali Ministry and German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ).
2. Institutional Framework
Key Organizations:
- Ministry of Agriculture (MOA): Oversees departments for research, plant protection, land/water resources, cooperatives, and production/extension.
- Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC): Government monopoly on grain marketing with extensive storage and transport facilities.
- ONAT: Provides machinery services (tractor hire, land clearing) but operates at a loss due to subsidized prices.
- AFMET Project: Focuses on extension services and farmer training using the "Training and Visit System".
- National Banana Board (NBB): Supports banana growers with marketing, inputs, and machinery services.
- Ministry of Livestock: Provides veterinary services and manages range development through the National Range Agency.
- Somali Development Bank & Commercial Bank: Offer limited agricultural credit, primarily to banana growers and livestock exporters.
3. Services in the Juba Valley
Marketing
Key Issues: ADC's grain marketing monopoly ended in 1982, leading to increased private trader participation. Price fluctuations are significant, with private traders often paying more than official ADC prices.
Recommendation: ADC should be reorganized to stabilize prices by guaranteeing purchases at fixed seasonal rates and releasing stocks to dampen price spikes.
Machinery Service
| Provider | Services | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| ONAT | Tractor hire, land preparation | ~7,000 ha (only 15% of estimated need) |
| NBB/AAC | Banana farm machinery | 50 growers in Lower Juba |
| SOMALTEX | Cotton farm machinery | 1,000 ha in Jamame |
Recommendation: Consider privatizing ONAT's tractor services while retaining government control over heavy equipment.
Extension and Research
The AFMET extension service covers only about 8,500 of 25,000 farm families. Research stations exist but lack systematic programs yielding practical benefits.
Input Supply
Limited to banana and cotton farmers. No general system exists for most farmers. MOA provides emergency pest control supplies but resources are inadequate.
Credit
Severely limited. SDB provides medium-term loans to few farmers; CSBS offers short-term credit mainly to livestock exporters.
4. Key Recommendations
- Reorganize ADC as a market-stabilizing institution with guaranteed purchase prices
- Transform ONAT into private/part-private enterprises for machinery services
- Secure continued funding for AFMET extension services beyond 1985
- Develop farmer groups based on shared interests rather than imposed cooperatives
- Establish a reliable input supply system, potentially involving private retailers
- Expand agricultural credit through CSBS or a reorganized ADC
Overall Assessment
The report reveals a service sector struggling with inefficiencies, underfunding, and over-reliance on government institutions. While some specialized programs (for banana and cotton growers) function relatively well, most farmers lack access to essential services. The recommendations emphasize market-oriented reforms, private sector participation, and farmer-centered approaches to improve agricultural productivity in the Juba Valley.