02/03/2021
Somalia, located in the horn of Africa, is one of the poorest countries of the world and is experiencing an adverse climate and chronic food shortages. Despite the conflict and instability that has been witnessed in Somalia over the past two decades, the livestock sector has continued to be the main economic activity, accounting for over 40% of the GDP and over 80% of the foreign exchange earnings. The sector directly engages approximately 65% of the population with livestock sales directly contributing to household incomes.
The main livestock of Somalia comprise cattle, camels, sheep and goats.
These livestock have multipurpose uses and are well adapted to the environmental conditions experienced in the region.
There are two main types of production systems found in Somalia namely pastoral and agro-pastoral. The main livestock comprise camel, cattle, sheep and goats, with numbers of livestock estimated at 7.1 million for camel, 4.9 million for cattle, 12.3 million for sheep, and 11.6 million for goat. The pastoral and agropastoral production systems are found throughout the country, but with a higher concentration of pastoralists in the north and central areas, and a mix of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in the southern areas. Seasonal migration of pastoralists and their animals in search of pasture and water is common. Generally, the productivity of livestock in Somalia is low but it can be improved with improved management practices.
Livestock are Somaliaโs main export earner. Despite challenges such as political instability and bans in past years imposed by the Gulf States to prevent the spread of the Rift Valley Fever, the number of live animals and meat exports have continued to grow steadily thereby directly impacting the economy and the livelihoods of farmers in rural areas. Estimates made in 2011 valued the trade in Somaliland alone, which mainly consists of exports of sheep and goats, at more than USD 200 million per annum. The sheep and goats are mainly exported through the port of Berbera to the Middle East with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia taking up 70% of the exports. In addition to exports, trading of small ruminants within domestic markets plays an important role of providing employment of the local population especially women who are directly involved in selling of meat and milk.
Indigenous animal genetic resources of Somalia
The indigenous genetic resources of Somalia comprise a wide range of livestock species including cattle, camels, sheep and goats, each with a few recognized breeds. The Somali livestock keepers graze their animal within geographical Somalia and in Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya.
The cattle of Somalia are mainly the East African Zebu type of which the following types are recognized, the Somali Boran (Figure 3a), Gasara (Figure 3b), Dauara (Figure 3c) and Surqo (Figure 3d).
The Somali Boran are believed to be a descendant of the first introduction of zebu into Africa from West Asia and are thought to have evolved following the migration of Ethiopian cattle into Somalia and Jubaland along the Somalia-Ethiopia border. The Surqo breed is a zenga breed. The zenga breeds are breeds that resulted from zebu-sanga crosses that came about following the introduction of zebu cattle into Africa from Asia.
The Somali Blackhead (Figure 3f), is the predominant type of sheep in Somalia. It is of note that this breed was the founder for the Blackhead Persian breed (an improved type found in South Afric), and further that the Dorper breed (found in southern and eastern Africa) resulted from a cross of the Blackhead Persian breed with the Dorset Horn breed.
The main types of goats found in Somalia, are the Long-eared Somali goat (Figure 3g), the Short-eared Somali goat (Figure 3h), and, to a lesser extent, the Somali Arab goat. The Somali Long-eared goat is thought to be a descendent of the Somali Arab goats, which were introduced form Arabia. The Somali Arab goat, as the name implies, was introduced into Africa by Arabian traders.
