Dryland Solutions
Details
About
Programme Title : "Togga Watershed Model Farm”
Country : Somalia
District: Garowe
Contact Person: Yasmin Mohamud / Aude Peronne
About Dryland Solution :
“Empowering change, restoring hope”
At Dryland Solutions, a local Somali NGO, we believe in the power of unity, community and ecological restoration. With a deep commitment to Somalia’s well-being and functional landscapes, we’re dedicated to addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, food and water security
Website:
https://drylandsolutionscommunity.org/
Part of ecosystem restoration communities :
Main videos presentation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLnAkLOYPZE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQfQ_EfXZyU&t=19s
Context analysis & problem we want to solve
Our holistic approach revolves around education, community engagement and collaboration across generations and cultures, addressing the environmental, economic, and social challenges facing Somalia, particularly in its semi-desert grassland ecosystem in Garowe region, addressing the damage caused by climate change, deforestation, overgrazing and soil erosion and desertification. We aim at engaging local communities by restoring the functionality of their ecosystems, enhancing nature based practices and giving new development and job opportunities based on a symbiotic and respectful relationship between people and nature
Project goals and objectives
“Ecosystem functionality, stewardship and regenerative development”
The Togga Watershed Model Farm, aims to transform the ecological and social landscape of the Tugga Watershed, 20 km from Garowe, Puntland, Somalia.
Established in 2020, the organization seeks to revitalize damaged ecosystems through innovative sustainable agricultural practices, focusing on soil revitalization, water conservation, and integrated farming systems.
The project occupies 187 hectares in a desert, arid to semi-arid climate, targeting the critical issues of drought and water scarcity that plague the region. By engaging local communities, particularly the 2,500 villagers nearby, the initiative not only aims to foster food and water security but also to build local capacities in regenerative land management and ecosystem restoration.
The project is a pioneering community-led effort demonstrating the viability of sustainable food production in arid environments. It focuses on creating a synergistic interplay between different farming practices to establish a nutrient-dense food production model. This approach is designed to enhance climate resilience, promoting a new standard for community-led environmental stewardship and contributing to Sustainable Development Goals 1 (No Poverty), 15 (Life on Land), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
In addition to ecological restoration, the project emphasizes community engagement and education, providing the local population with essential skills and introducing them to citizen science monitoring and evaluation techniques. This initiative is expected to serve as a model for equitable and inclusive development, offering a unique investment opportunity for stakeholders interested in contributing to environmental and economic sustainability.
The project addresses the severe ecological challenges faced by Somalia, such as droughts, land degradation, and biodiversity loss, by implementing strategic restoration efforts and fostering community partnerships. An inspiring example of this community spirit is the donation of 187 hectares of land by the Sufi Intentional Community, leading to a landmark partnership with Dryland Solutions and the Puntland State government.
By adopting a holistic and sustainable approach to environmental management, the Togga Watershed Model Farm Project represents a significant step towards mitigating the impacts of climate change and enhancing the well-being of the local community. It underscores the importance of collaborative efforts and innovative solutions in addressing global ecological challenges.
Key areas of the farm:
Education and leadership : Equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills required to tackle Somalia’s challenges, serving as a hub of inspiration and hope for Nature-Based Solutions initiatives and incubating the development of other centres across the country.
Ecosystem restoration : Restoring the damaged semi-desert grassland ecosystem by applying practical solutions towards ecosystem functionality and increased biodiversity. Reversing deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion and health, rehabilitating the water cycle to mitigate droughts
Food & water security : Establishing a regenerative farm to table agriculture planning, providing quality food for every household, enhancing sustainable productivity and collaboration within local communities.
Economic Prosperity: Generating job opportunities, establishing a green and circular value-based economy and alleviating poverty
Proposed interventions and results expected
Dryland Solutions is a local NGO, not about generating profit, but about making a tangible impact on the environment and on communities. It is a grassroots organisation working directly with communities and ecosystems, ensuring that every dollar donated is transparently used and has a direct and meaningful impact on the ground.
The first phase of the project implementation includes
Dryland Solution was offered 187 hectares of land by the local government and the local sufi communities to develop a prototypical pilot farm and educational centre.
We are looking for fundings to launch the first phase of implementation of the Togga Watershed Model Farm.
A training of trainers on ecosystem restoration design,permaculture and regenerative agriculture
Training of trainers (ToT) is a powerful approach for spreading knowledge and skills within a community, creating a ripple effect where knowledge and skills are not confined to the initial group of trainees. Trained trainers can reach out to a larger audience, providing widespread community involvement and fostering sustainability and continuity of projects. The trainers from within the community understand the local context, culture, and specific environmental challenges better. This ensures that the training is more relevant and tailored to address specific community needs. This can lead to increased commitment and enthusiasm, which is vital for the long-term success of these initiatives.The approach helps in building local capacity, by equipping community members with the necessary skills to undertake restoration activities. Also, training trainers within the community can be more cost-effective in the long run, as it reduces the need for frequent external training sessions and allows for the leveraging of local resources.
Developing the pilot project and activating the educational centre as a practical study case to host the Training of trainers
Creating a hands-on experience in the building of the educational centre, where the construction process itself serves as a form of training, offers numerous benefits, emphasising collaborative learning, shared knowledge, and practical involvement in ecological restoration efforts as the site is being built, providing direct, experiential learning opportunities.Participants, in the building process develop a range of skills, from ecological design, regenerative agriculture, permaculture to project management and teamwork, enhancing their capacity to undertake future projects independently. Finally, the construction process becomes a live demonstration of environmental stewardship and, once completed, becomes a symbol of the community’s capabilities and commitment to learning and restoration. It stands as a practical example of what can be achieved through collective effort and serves as an ongoing educational tool. Once the community has successfully completed a project, the model and the learned skills can be replicated in other projects, both locally and in other communities. This scalability is vital for the widespread impact of ecosystem restoration efforts.
Corresponding budget : Click here to get the detailed budget for phase 1
Target Beneficiary numbers and target Livelihood sectors
Our project focuses on supporting vulnerable communities in Somalia, particularly agro-pastoralists, women, youth, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) disproportionately affected by climate-related challenges like droughts and floods. Recognizing their vulnerability and dependency on unpredictable rainfalls, limited access to resources and heightened risks of violence and poverty, we are committed to implementing sustainable, locally adapted ecosystem management and restoration strategies.
Our commitment
Dryland Solution commits to transparency and regular reporting on how funds are used, progress, outcomes and impacts achieved, so donors can see the tangible results of their support.
If you are interested and willing to partner with us and support us, click here to get a deeper overview of our detailed strategies, actionable steps and planning.
You can also click here to access our complete portfolio
Thank you for your attention.
Top partners
Top competitors
