By Goth Mohamed Goth
HARGEISA – 28 June 2026 – The Minister of Agriculture Development of the Republic of Somaliland, Mr. Aden Geedi Qayaad, has officially inaugurated an intensive 11-day training programme for staff of the UGBAAD Project, in a move aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and improving agricultural service delivery across the country.
The training, which is being held at the Ministry’s conference hall in Hargeisa, brings together technical staff directly involved in the implementation of the UGBAAD Project. The programme is designed to enhance participants’ expertise in key areas, including modern farming techniques, project planning and management, monitoring and evaluation, and effective community engagement. The ultimate goal is to raise the standard of extension services extended to farmers and pastoralist communities throughout Somaliland.
The opening ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Ministry, representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – including Ms. Aamina Abdillahi Haruun – and the UGBAAD Project Manager, Mr. Mubaarik Osman Abdi. In their respective addresses, the speakers reiterated the critical importance of continuous professional development in ensuring the successful execution of agricultural programmes and the optimal use of project resources.
Delivering his keynote address, Minister Aden Geedi Qayaad emphasized that capacity-building initiatives of this nature are fundamental to empowering Ministry personnel and enhancing their ability to respond to the evolving needs of the agricultural sector. He further noted that the training would directly contribute to increasing farm productivity, accelerating the realization of the Ministry’s strategic objectives, and reinforcing Somaliland’s broader commitment to achieving food security and improving rural livelihoods.
“The knowledge and skills gained through this training will not only benefit the individual participants but will also translate into tangible improvements in the services we provide to our farmers and communities,” the Minister stated.
