Graduate’s Greenhouse Idea Making a Difference in Somalia

Inside a greenhouse farm in the Elasha Biyaha area of the Lower Shabelle region, Hassan Ahmed Amin tends to his cucumber crop, picking the ripe ones and carefully training the vines on vertical climbing lines. It is heavily humid inside, but for Hassan, these are the perfect conditions for his crops, which are lush green in stark contrast to the dry, bare land outside.

The greenhouse farm measures 40 by 20 metres and serves as Hassan’s workplace. It is also his source of livelihood, providing him with income to support his family and meet other financial obligations. Two years ago, Hassan graduated from the Somali National University and was eager to apply his education. However, he soon faced the harsh reality of unemployment. In Somalia, according to the UN, youth unemployment rates exceed 60%.

For Hassan, the only viable option was to create a job for himself. With a friend’s help, he visited Raas MFI and secured a $2,700 loan. The Rajo loan product from Raas MFI is specifically designed for young entrepreneurs. Raas MFI offers this loan facility with the support of the Financial Inclusion for Growth in Somalia (FIG-Somalia), implemented by the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF).

Utilising the best farming practices he learned from previous training, Hassan begins harvesting the cucumbers 75 days after planting. Each harvest yields 40 kilograms per day, which he sells at $0.6 per kilogram. A harvest season runs for two and half months. This guarantees him a regular income for a significant portion of the year. Beaming with confidence while holding a fresh bunch of cucumbers, he reflects:

“I never knew that two years after graduation, I would earn an income from the farm. This farm has not only secured my financial future but has also taught me the potential we have as young people to change the trajectory of our country.”

Hassan views this greenhouse project as a blueprint for economic independence among youth and food security in Somalia. “If we have a large number of young people in the country venturing into agribusiness with the necessary support, I am certain we can empower them economically and reduce food insecurity in our nation.”

Hassan supplies fresh cucumbers to targeted clients in Mogadishu, including restaurants and vegetable vendors. However, ensuring his produce remains fresh before reaching the market poses a challenge. To address this issue, Hassan mentions he is allocating some savings to purchase a freezer. “Sometimes I am unable to get my produce to the market on the same day, which may raise concerns among my clients. But I am saving for a cold storage facility,” he explains.

Looking ahead, Hassan plans to lease additional land to establish another greenhouse. He notes that demand significantly exceeds supply, indicating the need for increased production. Fortunately for Hassan, he has built a strong credit history with Raas MFI, which will enable him to expand his agribusiness and realise his dream of becoming a leading fresh produce producer in the Lower Shabelle region.

In addition to the loan advances, Hassan also benefits from free business coaching from Raas MFI to enhance his entrepreneurial success.

The FIG-Somalia programme aims to revitalise and expand the local economy, focusing on improving livelihoods, job creation, and broad-based inclusive growth for Somali women, youth, and producer groups. The programme, implemented by the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF), has since directly created 12,240 jobs and impacted 53,220 individuals in Somalia.