The Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation of the Somali Government, Mohamed Abdi Xayir (Maareeye), said that the government will stop what he described as illegal fees charged to farmers, and strict action will be taken against the so-called “gate keepers” who take people away from agricultural land.
The minister said that these people will be arrested, noting that anyone who takes people away from farmers to benefit from them will be arrested and legal action will be taken against them.
“Illegal fees will be stopped, anyone who takes people away from farms and takes money from them and builds a hut to get aid cards will be arrested and put in prison,” the minister said.
He also pointed out that there are people who fraudulently take advantage of farmers, telling them that they are creating job opportunities for them, but then taking money from them, which he said will be stopped.
Meanwhile, the minister warned of a difficult situation regarding global food security, saying that international wars such as those between Russia and Ukraine, and conflicts in the Middle East have affected food supplies.
He noted that even countries that used to sell food to Somalia have sometimes refused to sell, especially during times of crisis such as the coronavirus.
“A person with a lot of wealth can die of hunger if food supplies are scarce,” the minister said, citing historical events related to major world wars as an example.
The minister said the government is now focusing on strengthening domestic production, while raising public awareness of the importance of relying on domestic production.
The minister said that the government is trying to balance saving people’s lives and protecting the country’s production, noting that in the past, saving lives was preferred, but now there is a need to revive agriculture and domestic production.
