Summary: Agricultural and Livestock Services in the Juba Valley
Document Details:
Title: Agricultural and Livestock Services in the Juba Valley
Author: Wolfgang Haupt
Date: April 1984
Implementing Agencies: Ministry of Juba Valley Development (Somalia) and German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ)
1. Introduction
The report analyzes the structure and performance of agricultural services in Somalia's Juba Valley, emphasizing the critical role of institutional frameworks in supporting farmers and livestock producers. It examines various service organizations and proposes improvements to enhance agricultural development.
2. Institutional Framework
Key Organizations:
| Organization | Primary Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) | Plant protection, land/water resources, cooperatives, production/extension |
| Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) | Grain marketing monopoly (sorghum, maize, rice), storage, processing |
| ONAT | Machinery hire services (tractors, bulldozers) for land preparation |
| AFMET Project | Agricultural extension services, farm management training, input distribution |
| National Banana Board (NBB) | Banana marketing, export, input provision to growers |
| Ministry of Livestock (MLFR) | Animal health services, vaccination programs, livestock production |
| National Range Agency (NRA) | Range land development, grazing reserves, livestock marketing infrastructure |
| Somaltex | Cotton processing, marketing, and input provision to cotton farmers |
3. Services in the Juba Valley
3.1 Marketing
Crop Marketing: ADC holds monopoly on grain marketing but faces increasing competition from private traders since 1982 liberalization. NBB handles banana exports while Somaltex manages cotton marketing.
Livestock Marketing: Traditional private system dominates after government attempts through Livestock Development Agency failed. Kismayo meat factory operates below capacity due to quality and pricing issues.
3.2 Machinery Services
ONAT provides tractor hire services at subsidized rates but covers only about 15% of estimated demand. NBB and Somaltex offer specialized machinery services to banana and cotton growers respectively.
3.3 Extension and Research
AFMET project implements "Training and Visit" extension system but coverage is limited. Research activities are minimal with few operational stations producing useful results.
3.4 Input Supply
Limited availability of farm inputs. MOA provides emergency pest control chemicals. AFMET recently took over input distribution but implementation is still in early stages.
3.5 Credit Supply
Somali Development Bank (SDB) offers medium-term loans (mostly for tractors and pumps). Commercial and Savings Bank provides short-term credit mainly to livestock exporters. Most small farmers lack access to credit.
4. Conclusions and Recommendations
Key Recommendations:
- Marketing: Reorganize ADC to stabilize grain prices while allowing private sector participation
- Machinery Services: Consider privatizing ONAT's tractor services while retaining government control over heavy equipment
- Extension: Ensure sustainability of AFMET project beyond 1985 to maintain farmer confidence
- Research: Strengthen research stations to support extension activities
- Farmers' Organizations: Support bottom-up formation of farmer groups based on shared needs
- Input Supply: Develop private sector distribution channels with extension service support
- Credit: Expand agricultural credit through existing banks or new specialized institutions
Key Challenges
- Heavy government subsidies for services like ONAT are unsustainable
- Extension services depend heavily on foreign funding and may collapse without continued support
- Top-down cooperative movement has largely failed due to lack of farmer participation
- Seasonal price fluctuations disadvantage both producers and consumers
- Limited research backing for extension recommendations