Hornpost
Hargeisa (Horn post) The Ministry of Agricultural Development of the Republic of Somaliland and the Taiwan Representative Office in Hargeisa on Wednesday signed a new cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity through seed development.
The agreement, formally titled the Seed Industry Development Project, will be jointly implemented by Somaliland’s Ministry of Agricultural Development and the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF).
The project is designed to enhance the quality, availability, and sustainability of agricultural seeds, a key pillar for improving food security and rural livelihoods in Somaliland.
The agreement was signed by the Minister of Agricultural Development, Mahmoud Cige Yusuf, on behalf of the Somaliland government, and Allen Lou, Taiwan’s Representative to Somaliland, representing the Government of Taiwan.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, both sides described the project as opening a new chapter in agricultural cooperation between Somaliland and Taiwan, building on existing development partnerships in areas such as health, education, and agriculture.
The signing took place at the Office of the Minister of Agricultural Development in Hargeisa and was attended by senior officials from both sides. Among those present were the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mukhtar Haji Mohamed Farah, and the Director of Planning at the Ministry, Ibrahim Omar.
The Taiwanese delegation accompanying Representative Allen Lou included the Deputy Representative and other officials, among them Sharmarke Garad, reflecting Taiwan’s continued technical and diplomatic engagement with Somaliland.
The Seed Industry Development Project is expected to focus on improving seed production systems, enhancing farmer access to certified seeds, and strengthening institutional capacity within Somaliland’s agricultural sector. Officials noted that the initiative aligns with Somaliland’s broader strategy to boost domestic food production, reduce reliance on imports, and promote climate-resilient agriculture.
Somaliland and Taiwan have steadily expanded their cooperation in recent years, with agriculture remaining a central area of collaboration due to its importance to livelihoods and economic stability across Somaliland’s regions.
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Hornpost staff Reporter
