The World Food Programme (WFP) has been operating in Somaliland with the primary objective of combating hunger and supporting vulnerable populations through a wide range of programs aimed at addressing both immediate and long-term food security needs.
WFP collaborates with government entities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and development agencies to strengthen the national food system and promote sustainable food security and resilience. One of the key initiatives is the Kobciye Project, funded by the European Union (EU), which empowers smallholder farmers through improved access to agricultural tools, training, and sustainable farming practices.
The initiative focuses on enhancing productivity, improving food systems, and building local capacity for agricultural resilience. In addition, a new project funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has been implemented to support climate-smart agriculture, strengthen market linkages, and enhance the livelihoods of vulnerable farming communities in Somaliland. To scale up such efforts and ensure long-term sustainability, WFP seeks to deepen its understanding of agricultural value chains, particularly sorghum, maize, and cowpea.
In January 2025, the Axiom Monitoring and Evaluation (ME) team conducted a value chain analysis of maize, sorghum, and cowpea in Somaliland. The objective was to assess the structure and dynamics of these value chains, identify key actors, and propose potential interventions that WFP can promote to improve food security and income generation in the region. The study focused on production, productivity, processing, marketing, consumption, value chain governance structures, social inclusion, and the participation of women and youth. By analyzing these dimensions, the study aims to offer a holistic and nuanced understanding of the current agricultural landscape. The findings and recommendations will inform future interventions that strengthen food and nutritional security, promote sustainable production systems, and enhance the resilience of households and communities in Somaliland.
The study employed a combination of methodologies. Secondary data sources included reviews of agricultural documents from Somaliland and reports on production, marketing, consumption, and previous value chain assessments. This component of the study emphasized the collection of quantitative data. Primary data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with stakeholders and key informants, focus group discussions (FGDs), and field visits to Hargeisa, Arabsiyo, and Gebiley. A total of thirty-four key informant interviews and seven focus group discussions involving 64 participants were conducted. These included farmers, traders, transporters, financial institution representatives, and processors from rural and peri-urban areas, supplemented by direct field observations.
The study was primarily qualitative in nature, aimed at capturing lessons learned and identifying the unique characteristics, capacities, and interactions of value chain actors. Although understanding the performance of these actors is valuable, the ability to quantify findings was limited. Data were synthesized to reflect a range (minimum to maximum) rather than averages, given the non-representative nature of the sample. Additionally, rapid market assessments were conducted with traders and processors to gather specific information on costs and margins at various stages of the value chain.
The report was subsequently validated by a technical team from WFP and local government authorities and adjustments were made to incorporate their feedback. This technical report presents the findings from the value chain analysis of maize, sorghum, and cowpea in the Hargeisa, Arabsiyo, and Gebiley districts of Somaliland.
