Production Assumptions

Production Assumptions:

The estimated land size to produce commercial volume bananas starts from 1,000 hectares out of the 8 million hectares of farmlands in Somalia — it is safe to assume that, with a coordinated GBPP, the necessary technical training farm inputs and materials, 112 containers of 40 ft of banana per month can be exported.

According to FAO studies—the Middle East banana imports are 30 million cartons annually (2016) – whereas, the population of the Middle East requires banana consumption of 72 million cartons annually. The gap of 42 million cartons yield opportunities for the Somali banana to fill this gap. Therefore, for the long term commercial Somali banana export strategy, in Jubba-Land, SouthWest and Hirshabelle, is to producing from a combined farmland of 12.000 to 25,000 hectares which can sustain quality banana production of over 40 million cartons in the next 8 to 10 years, with a yearly revenue generation of over $500 million.

somalia-commercial-bananagrowth

Successful commercial banana trade is volume based and a labor intensive. To establish and maintain the commercial banana export value chain one must prepare investment to enhance agricultural infrastructure; irrigation systems, roads, logistics and the technical knowhow training at the onset—the rest is to maintain the volume production of quality Somali commercial bananas. SAC believes that the Somali banana farmer companies and associations are determined to cooperate and sustain this business once they are provided the technical training of GBPP, necessary farm inputs and materials.

Sesame seed Production::

SAC is prepared to tap all the viable agri-businesses; commercial bananas, sesame seeds and corn/maize and grass productions. Sesame seed is one of the oldest seeds known to mankind. Somalia is among the major producers and potential areas include; South West, HirShabelle and Jubba Land. Sesame seed is a popular crop cultivated in most areas of Somalia. The semi-desert warm weather of Somalia is an ideal climate for sesame seed production and a very helpful for future project growth and expansion. More than 50% of Somalia is arable and is conducive to sesame seed production. The available and collectible quantity varies form climate (season to season). The estimated annual harvest varies from time to time. SAC is aiming to maximize commercial sesame seed production where and when possible.

Corn / Maize Production::

Similarly , the Somali environment is highly conducive to maximize production of various crops. SAC aims to expand and modernize commercial volume production of maize in Somalia. The demands of the maize as human consumption and animal feed is very high in Somalia and beyond. Commercial benefits as well as food security from sustainable farming are what is driving SAC. The following are photos of modern farming and harvest of maize and other cash crops that SAC wants to attain in the near future.

Here are simple models and systems to follow in order to produce commercially viable sesame seeds, maize, bananas and fruits and vegetables.