Geospatial agro-climatic characterization for assessment of potential agricultural areas in Somalia, Africa.

Boitt, Mark Kipkurwa and Langat, Flomena C. and Kapoi, John K. (2018) Geospatial agro-climatic characterization for assessment of potential agricultural areas in Somalia, Africa. AGRÁRINFORMATIKA / JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL INFORMATICS, 9 (3). pp. 18-35. ISSN 2061-862X

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Abstract

Somalia nation has been in the past classified as a volatile and of low economic value since 1990s when the government was deemed to have collapsed. Currently the independentSomalia is turning out to be one economic back boneof the Northern and Eastern parts of Africa in trade and agriculture. This paper focuses on the agricultural potential of Somalia using geospatial techniques throughcharacterization. Climate is characterized and described, terrainmodelsare derived, Soil analysis and hydrological assessment are also analyzed.Agroclimatic maps are developed to show suitable and unsuitable areas for agricultural production.The terrain of Somalia is more of a flat plaincoupled with river basins that can be used as arable lands for agriculture. The groundwater points can sustainably irrigate large numberof parcels for crop production. Through GIS technology adopted for this particular work, two basinswere mapped out to be possible agricultural potential areas: Juba and Shabelle. The assessment indicates thatcrop production can be achieved through irrigatingof the arable plains and not relying so much on rain-fed agricultural systems. Agro-climatic zones of Somalia are delineated mainly due the amount of rainfall, temperature ranges and terrain patterns. With this study, farmers can be advised on which area to focus for cropproduction. The agricultural potential that lies in Somalia is so huge it could be named the future food basket of Africa, who knows?

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