Somalia faces major economic obstacles to economic development characterized by weak institutions, insecurity, a persistent insurgency, dilapidated infrastructure, environmental degradation, and climate change. Yet it is clear that agriculture is and will remain central to Somalia’s economic development.

This Overview report – a summary of the main report – provides the most recent comprehensive analytical report on Somalia’s agriculture sector in over a decade. It is a key knowledge resource for policy maker’s as well as public and private investors in the broad agriculture sector. It assess the medium- and long-term performance of the main agricultural subsectors (livestock, crops, forestry, and fishing), including agro-processing, and their contributions to livelihoods, exports, and economic growth across all geopolitical regions. The report also analyzes the sector’s major development constraints, challenges, potential for growth, policy and institutional reforms, and investment options.

The report was prepared jointly by the World Bank and the FAO Investment Centre, with critical inputs by the FAO Somalia Office, and with the support in-country of the Federal Government Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development as well as of sector ministries and sub-national governments.