The Impact of Drought Caused by Climate Change on Farmers in Jowhar District, Somalia

In the heart of Somalia, where the land is often dry and the sun relentless, life for many families depends on a single, fragile promise: the rain. This is the story of agriculture in a place where the weather is no longer behaving as it used to. For generations, farmers have relied on seasonal patterns to know when to plant their seeds and when to harvest their crops. But as the global climate shifts, these patterns are breaking down. The result is a new reality where droughts last longer, rains become unpredictable, and the water needed to grow food becomes scarce. This is not just a story about dry fields; it is a story about how a changing environment threatens the ability of families to eat, earn a living, and survive. When the rain fails, the entire chain of life in these rural communities—from the crops in the ground to the livestock that graze nearby—begins to unravel.

To understand the depth of this crisis, a team of researchers from Zamzam University of Science and Technology traveled to Jowhar District, one of Somalia's most vital agricultural regions. Located in the Middle Shabelle area, Jowhar is a place where farmers grow a variety of crops and raise animals, depending heavily on the seasonal rains and the nearby Shabelle River. The researchers wanted to move beyond general statistics and hear directly from the people living through these changes. They spoke with one hundred farmers, asking them about their recent experiences, what they had lost, and how they were trying to survive. The goal was simple but urgent: to map out exactly how the droughts caused by climate change were affecting the daily lives, food security, and future of these farming communities.

The picture that emerged from these conversations was stark. Nearly nine out of ten farmers said they had faced a drought in the last five years. For most, this was not a mild inconvenience but a severe or even catastrophic event. The impact rippled through every aspect of their lives. Almost all of the farmers reported that water had become incredibly scarce, making it difficult to water their fields or their animals. This lack of water led directly to a sharp drop in the amount of food they could grow. When crops fail, the money that families rely on disappears, and the ability to buy food from the market vanishes. The study found that nearly nine out of ten farmers felt their food security was threatened, meaning they could not be sure where their next meal would come from. For those who also raised livestock, the drought meant losing animals, which are often a family's most valuable savings account.

The farmers described a world where the weather had become a source of anxiety rather than a reliable guide. They noticed that rain was falling at strange times, or not falling at all when it was needed. They spoke of extreme weather events happening more often, making it impossible to plan their planting seasons with the confidence their grandparents once had. This unpredictability hit their most important crops the hardest. Maize, a staple food, was the most affected, with the vast majority of farmers reporting severe losses. Other key crops like sesame, vegetables, sorghum, and rice also suffered greatly. The drought was not picking and choosing; it was a broad threat that undermined the entire agricultural system.

In the face of these challenges, the farmers were not sitting idle. They were fighting back with the tools they had. Many had started planting crops that could survive with less water, a smart move to keep some food on the table. Others turned to borrowing money to get by, while many had to make the painful decision to sell their livestock to buy food. These were survival tactics, ways to keep the family fed in the immediate moment. However, the researchers found that these short-term fixes often came with a cost. Selling off animals meant having fewer assets for the future, and borrowing money could trap families in debt. The farmers knew they needed more than just quick fixes; they needed a way to build a future where they could withstand the next dry spell without losing everything.

When asked what would truly help them adapt in the long run, the farmers pointed to clear, practical solutions. The most popular idea was improving irrigation systems, which would allow them to water their crops even when the rain stopped. They also wanted to learn about climate-smart farming techniques, access to better seeds that could resist drought, and ways to collect and store rainwater when it did fall. Yet, a significant gap remained between what they needed and what they could do. The study revealed that the biggest hurdles were a lack of money, poor infrastructure, and a shortage of training. Even when farmers knew what to do, they often lacked the resources to do it. Furthermore, most felt that the help they received from the government and outside organizations was not enough to match the scale of the problem.

The conclusion drawn from this work is clear: the drought driven by climate change is a serious threat to the survival of farming in Jowhar. It is damaging the land, emptying pockets, and leaving families hungry. While the farmers are resilient and willing to adapt, they cannot do it alone. The path forward requires more than just hope; it demands action. It calls for better irrigation systems, stronger support for farmers to learn new skills, and a steady flow of resources to help them invest in their own resilience. Without these changes, the cycle of drought and hardship will continue to deepen, but with the right support, these communities can build a future where they are ready for whatever the weather brings.