Somalilandsun: The Ministry of Agriculture Development has moved to new headquarters in the capital Hargeisa.
This follows the official opening by the Somaliland president Musa Bihi Abdi of a new two storey building whose construction was solely funded through citizens tax money.
The new ministry of agriculture premises encompasses 12 offices and a large conference hall, as well as extensively decorated courtyards and parking lots, as well as a new rainwater tank.
Below is a statement issued by the Somaliland Presidential Press Office
The President of the Republic of Somaliland cut the cord on a two-storey building dedicated to the Ministry of Agricultural Development
Hargeisa-21-02-2021 – () – The President of the Republic of Somaliland, HE Muse Bihi Abdi, today officially opened a two-storey building dedicated to the Ministry of Agricultural Development, which is funded by a citizen tax. .
At the unveiling ceremony held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agricultural Development, the president first inspected the various offices of the new building, and ministry officials briefed the president.
First of all, the Minister of Agricultural Development of the Republic of Somaliland, Mr. Ahmed Mumin Seed, made a brief speech at the event, highlighting the significant role of the Ministry of Agricultural Development in the nation and its efforts to increase agricultural production. He said, “The ministry is the lifeblood of the nation to be proud of, and we are in we are now in the planting season, so if we get good rain our production will be good, and if it rains we will produce less. “We are also in the process of building dams.”
The minister said that as a ministry, they have made it possible to completely eliminate the Importation of seeds , which have caused a lot of problems to the soil, and have replaced the seeds that will soon be distributed to the country’s farmers.
Dwelling on the national importance of the ministry of Agriculture and how it is imperative that it’s activities be community driventhe President of the Republic of Somaliland, Mr. Muse Bihi Abdi, said, “The Ministry of Agriculture needs to lead the nation’s food sustainability by facilitating ease of knowledge based farming thence an abundance of produce” adding that it was therefore the onus and mandate of the ministry to devise and implement relevant policies and strategies.
On the issue of on Livestock grazing lands in the guise of agricultural activities the president urged coordinated action between the two relevant ministries thus ensure , each sector operates profitably without affecting the other.
On the fencing of lands allegedly for non agricultural purposes the Somaliland head of state said the ministry must deter such while warning unscrupulous persons in the business of land grabbing nationwide.
“I hereby warn that anybody who fences Livestock grazing land for agricultural purposes but fails to start production within a year shall lose rights” said President Musa Bihi
.To ensure that this anomaly does not occur the head of state directed that prior to granting farming rights to anybody,the ministry of agriculture must first ensure that the land is suitable for crops, it does not take away grazing and that the grantee is able to start harvesting within a year.
Wa-bilaahi Tawfiiq
Nasir Yusuf Dahir
Director of the Presidential Media Department Hargeisa – Republic of Somaliland Line: 518390
