Assessing the Impact of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) on the Livelihoods and Resilience of Urban Farmers in Mogadishu, Somalia

Abstract

Somalia, a developing country, is undergoing rapid urbanization with a significant rise in its urban population. Agricultural production in rural areas has declined due to irregular rainfall, inadequate irrigation systems, and poor farming practices, making it insufficient to meet the demands of the growing urban population. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) has emerged as an important strategy for enhancing productivity, resilience, and sustainable resource use in vulnerable environments. This study assessed the adoption of CSA practices and examined their impact on the livelihoods and resilience of urban farmers in Mogadishu, Somalia. The main objective was to determine how CSA practices influence productivity, income, and adaptive capacity among urban farming households. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. Primary data were collected from 150 respondents selected through stratified random sampling from different districts of Mogadishu, along with key informant interviews involving extension officers, NGO staff, and agricultural experts. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in Microsoft Excel. The findings show that 73.33% of the farmers had adopted CSA practices, while 26.67% were non-adopters. Greenhouses and drip irrigation were the most frequently used practices, followed by drought-tolerant seeds, organic composting, and crop diversification. Low-adoption practices included mulching, rainwater harvesting, and integrated pest management. CSA adoption significantly improved crop yields, job opportunities, food availability, and household income. Farmers also reported moderate improvements in resilience indicators such as recovery from crop loss, food and nutrition security, and ability to maintain production during drought. Key factors influencing adoption included access to information, education level, input costs, extension support, group membership, and access to credit. Major challenges limiting sustained adoption were high input costs, limited technical knowledge, inadequate water access, and weak market linkages. The study concludes that CSA practices play a crucial role in enhancing productivity and climate resilience among urban farmers in Mogadishu. Expanding CSA adoption will require increased training, financial support, improved access to technologies, localized climate information, and stronger institutional support from government and NGOs.