Dear Friend,
Greetings from Puntland, Somalia!
We are enormously grateful for your support of the project "Give Clean Water & Energy to 350 Somali Families". We want to share with you some exciting updates on the progress made.
In the months from November 2022 to February 2023 we had a lot of work accomplished.
We keep on moving forward despite all the challenges, but we need your continuous support to continue the implementation of this exciting project!
Peer to peer Learning event in on Climate Smart Technologies (OffGrid Box) Eldahir
The CEFA local Champion Abdirahman Said delivered training on the utilization and functions of the OffGrid box, the learning objective of this program was:
- Gaining practical knowledge of the functioning and use of the pilot Off Grid Box technology:
- Adoption of the OGB technology for irrigation and productive uses in date palm production
- Utilization of the OGB technology to supply clean drinkable water and affordable electricity
- Using the OGB to support the drip irrigation system
The participants appreciated that the OGB has brought an intervention that provides clean drinkable water to the community which is free from the impurities that would cause health challenges to them. Discussion among the community members were based on how to package the clean water in bottles such that it could be sold in the local markets.
The OffGrid box brings a significant transformational impact on local economies through provision of drinkable water to the community around. Off Grid Box has a modified, innovative solution that utilizes off-grid energy solution. The green method uses renewable energy sources and reduces emission of GHGs, it is also cheaper in the long run due to minimized cost of fuel and provides a potential to use harnessed energy for other purposes
Donor Support Mission and Official Launch of Off grid box Puntland Somali
On December 10, 2022, the IFAD Country Director for Somalia made his first mission visit in Puntland for the first support implementation mission for FSSFS Project. The Country Director was accompanied by CEFA FSSFS project manager and consortium coordinator. During the mission, he visited El-Dahir (OGB, DPU + solar dryer, Drip irrigation System) to conduct an off-grid box launch event and a walking tour of the farm to monitor the various activities supported at the farm by FSSFS. The mission team began its walking tour in the field by paying a visit to an off-grid machine site. A technician from the SADAR service provider installed the off-grid machine and explained to the team the whole operation of the off-grid machine, including different parts and functionality, then the team proceeded to the farm site to see ring-shaped irrigation installed in the palm orchard. This is a new system that was induced into the farm and piloted by the FSSFS project to be replicated by other farmers if success was achieved by the pilot. Before concluding the farm walking tour, the team headed to the date palm processing unit, where the landowner demonstrated different parts of the DPU and how it operates by taking the team through the whole process of the date palm value chain, from washing, grading, sorting, weighing, packaging, labeling, and pricing. A mission concluded with the inauguration of the off-grid box in the presence of the Eldahir Farmer Committee, the Bari Governor, the Armo Mayor, the Bari Police Commissioner, the FSFSFS Focal Point, and the MoAI Minister
Irrigation Infrastructures rehabilitation and construction work (wells rehabilitation; pipes laying; solar-powered drip and bubbler irrigation systems installation)
The construction and rehabilitation work of the irrigation infrastructure continued during the reporting period. The second phase of irrigation work started in seven sites in the Bari region. The construction work began in Reyiheshay, Hilkat, Karin Ago, Karin, and Hamur in Bari region As well as Anoyaskah and Jibaxo in Nugal region. CEFA contracted Himilo to construct 100-meter cemented canal in Hilkat and rehabilitate another 100-meter canal in the same site. The company was contracted to construct 100 meters of cemented canal and spring protection and rehabilitation. East Engineering was also contracted for the construction of 100 cubic meter water storage tank and 250m long pipeline in Karin Ago and the installation of an irrigation network (bubbler irrigation system) in Anoyaskah. Bilson Company was contracted to construct cemented canal (200m) and rehabilitate 200 meters of cemented canals in Karin. Further, the company was contracted to rehabilitate 4 (80m3, 70m3, 150m3, and 78m3) masonry water storage tanks. In the same site, the company constructed 3 (50m3), water storage tanks. Som dream Company was contracted to construct cemented canals (200m) and rehabilitate 200m canals and construct a 50m3 masonry water storage tank in Hamur. SECCO was contracted to construct 1 protected shallow well and install of water pump and solar system in Anoyaskah and Jibaxo. Additionally, the company installed a submergible pump and solar system, and a 50-meter pipeline in Karin ago.
Importation of date palm seedlings and Distribution
During the reporting period, Yield Pro Company delivered the first batch (1st December) of date palm seedlings to Karin Nursery in the Bosaso Bari region. The consignment had 5 different varieties of date palm seedlings. CEFA's field team confirmed the receipt of 4,768 (1,188 Majhool, 188 Khalas, 891 Barhi, 1,204 Zamli, and 297 Ghanami- male variety). The team checked the status of the data palm seedlings one by one, rejecting 33 Khalas varieties with defects that will be replaced by the company and included in the next delivery. After the offloading of the new arrivals, the seedlings were irrigated.
On the same note, the second batch (29th December) of date palm seedlings (2893) consisting of five varieties (712 Majhool, 730 Khalas, 545 Barhi, 725 Zamil, and 181 Ghanaian males) was delivered to Jibaxo tree nursery on 29th of December 2022. A date palm field officer and field coordinator closely follow the offloading of the recently arrived seedlings to confirm the status of the seedlings. The team confirmed the receipt of the seedlings without defects. The receipt of the second batch included 33 date palm seedlings agreed to by the company to be replaced during the first batch delivery. The seedlings were later transplanted into the pots (delivered). In the process 12 casual laborers were involved. The casuals worked under the supervision of the date palm team leader. The pots were filled with a mixture of soil, sand and manure at a ratio of 3:2:1. The distribution of the seedlings is begun, so far 3,200 date palm seedling distributed to target beneficiaries , the second distribution phase is expected to start in May 2023.
Training IDPs on horticulture production and food handling practices demonstration
In the reporting period, the FSSFS project embarked on training 600 of the 1600 internally displaced persons targeted for training and introduction of the nutrition sensitive agriculture. CEFA trained more 598 (130 male, 468 female, 285 youths and 313 non-youth) internally displaced persons in 3 camps in Bari region during the reporting period. Overall, the project outreach for internally displaced persons on nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions is 1557 persons representing 96.0% of the targeted group. The IDPs were theoretical and practical trained, in 2 days-training, on different topic related to water conservation and home gardening with a focus on Nutrition-sensitive activities and food security. In particular, the contents of the training were: (i) introduction of home gardening at a theoretical and practical level; (ii) irrigation system; (iii) land preparation; (iv) seed sowing and spacing; (v) pest and disease control; (vi) weed protection; (vii) thinning. The training was facilitated by 4 facilitators, 3 from CEFA staff and 1 co-facilitator from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.
Links:
Dear Friend,
Greetings from Puntland, Somalia!
We are enormously grateful for your support of the project "Give Clean Water & Energy to 350 Somali Families". We want to share with you some exciting updates on the progress made.
In the months from July 2022 to October 2022, we had a lot of work accomplished.
Two of the many smart technologies introduced by the project will be soon ready for use, that are the date solar dryers, the construction of irrigation infrastructure (Bubbler irrigation system, Installation of solar and shallow well protection)
We keep on moving forward despite all the challenges, but we need your continuous support to continue the implementation of this exciting project!
Construction, distribution of Dates Solar Dryers
CEFA selected ICARO, developed by the Polytechnic of Turin, as the finest master model of solar dryer to be adopted by the FSSFS project. Solar dryers are, in fact, one of the key climate-smart technologies adopted and distributed by the project, in order to improve the quality of dates post-harvesting process. ICARO was designed to load at least 50 kg of fresh product and process 1,600 kg/year, which is the maximum recorded farm production of dates.
CEFA, in collaboration with Somali private sector, carried out the construction and testing of 9 Icaro units in the months of August and September 2022, working on a master model built in Italy, under the technical training and supervision of Polytechnic of Turin expert. They were distributed to farmers in different districts of Puntland, officially starting the functioning of the Dates Processing Units in Jibagalle, El-Dahir, and Meladeen,
On September 2022, the CEFA organized a post-harvesting capacity building on small-scale dates processing units, attended by 17 farmers from the Bari region and 17 farmers from Nugal Region focused on the functions of the solar dryer and demonstration of the processing, from washing, sorting, grading, sealing and labeling, so as to demonstrate to farmers how a solar dryer operates and how the whole processing facility works.
Support to communities for rehabilitation of degraded rangeland resources (pasture reseeding, strategic water points, the introduction of environmentally friendly and palatable tree species) in Ufayn and Qaararsoor villages in the Bari region
The Natural resource management component of the FSSFS project includes the introduction of a holistic approach for sustainable management of rangelands and rehabilitation of degraded rangeland resources, where Planned Grazing is used for livestock to be in the Right Place, at the Right Time, for the Right Reason. It is a concept and practice that embraces all available productive resources within the rangelands.
On July, the staff of Veterinaires sans Frontieres Germany (VSF-G) started Cash for Work (CfW) activities for local communities’ capacity building aiming at reducing the loss of water and fertilizing layers of the soil and introducing environmentally friendly and palatable tree species. The activities involved 90 beneficiaries in Ufayn and Qaararsoor villages in the Bari region and were successfully completed at the beginning of August 2022.
The objective is to sensitize on existing plans, rules and by-laws governing access to and sharing of rangeland resources in critical ecosystems.
Start construction of irrigation infrastructure Phase 2 in 6 sites in Nugal and Bari region
The contract start date was on 12th October, 2022. The contractors embarked on the process of preparing the necessary documentation in readiness for site mobilization. The contractors moved to the site as scheduled and were joined by the supervising team.
Construction of Irrigation infrastructure phase 2 location and description of the works:
All six (6 No.) Project sites are located in Puntland-Somalia: Rababble, Shimbirely, Jibal-Garowe, Jibagale, Barokhle, and Meladeen
In particular, the main works to be undertaken by contractors and to be supervised by the consultant comprise the following:
1. Construction of Irrigation Network, Shallow well protection, and solar works in Rababble and Shimbirely- Puntland, Somalia
2. Solarization of Borehole and Shallow well in Jilab-Garowe and Barokhle Puntland, Somalia
3. Construction of Irrigation Network in Jibagale and Meladeen - Puntland, Somalia
The sites were handed over to the contractors between the 8th to 11th of October. During the handovers, the contractors were introduced to the beneficiary individual and/or community together with the consultants and other stakeholders. The specific site handover briefs are presented in the following sub-sections.
Furthermore, CEFA kept providing an On-Job Training Programme to build local Engineering capacity. Each contractor has two (2 No.) sites and therefore is assigned two (2 No.) trainee Engineering students per site i.e., 4 students per contractor.
Contractors, through the Project Engineer, are expected to train the students based on the ongoing works. Among topics expected to be covered in the training are site management, budgeting, Recordkeeping, mobilization of personnel and equipment, transportation of material, how to make various requests and approvals, how to prepare Interim Payment Certificate and its submission, surveying, earthworks work, concrete works, electro-mechanical works, reporting and presentations, pump and solar panel sizing, various irrigation and solar technologies, etc.
World Food Day
World Food Day is recognized and celebrated every year in the world on 16th October in honor of the date of the establishment of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945.
The Puntland Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, with the extraordinary participation of the Puntland President, commemorated World Food Day on the 16th and 17th of October, gathering partners, NGOs, farmers associations and cooperatives, and all the actors engaged in food security and livelihood sector, to promote, encourage and work together to develop a sustainable resource management and food production mechanism for over 4 million population in Puntland.
On that occasion, CEFA had the opportunity to take part in the event with the active role of presenting solutions that CEFA is introducing, through the implementation of the FSSFS project, on the Date Value Chain, date palm farming, and date palm production, processing, and marketing in the framework of the two main topics, which were “Global Food Security Trends and its Impact in Somalia” and “Transborder and local pest and how to mitigate and irradiate”
Please keep supporting us in seeing this project take over and giving more sustainable access to clean water, energy, and food to Somali families!
Links:
Dear Friend,
Greetings from Puntland, Somalia!
We are incredibly appreciative of your support of the project. "Give Clean Water & Energy to 350 Somali Families". We want to share with you some exciting updates on the progress made.
In the months from March 2022 to June 2022, we completed a lot of great work and these are the key project achievements:
- Arrival the off-Grid box in Puntland, Somali together with ICARO Solar dryers and equipment of date processing Unit.
- Irrigation Infrastructures rehabilitation and construction work (wells rehabilitation; pipes laying; solar-powered drip and bubbler irrigation systems installation).
- Completion of the construction of the last small-scale dates processing units in Puntland, Somalia.
- Arrival of the second batch of Date Palm Seedlings in Puntland, Somali.
We keep on moving forward despite all the challenges, but we need your continuous support to continue the implementation of this exciting project!
Arrival the off-Grid box in Puntland, Somali together with ICARO Solar dryers and equipment of date processing Unit
The container for the shipment of the Off-Grid Box, master model of ICARO solar dryer and all necessary supplies for the Drip Irrigation System for date palm farming have finally arrived in Puntland and transferred to the pilot farm in Eldahir, Bari Region, Somali.
Thanks to the support of Off-Grid Box, the project has procured all the complimentary materials, tools, and equipment for the establishment of the pilot farm that have been procured and are ready to be installed with the Box.
The entirely powered by the Off-Grid Box solar energy system, generating zero CO2 emissions and contributing towards the improvement of the post-harvesting process of dates in Puntland.
Due to the adoption of sustainable technologies and renewable energy, the date harvest will be guaranteed even in critical conditions, in particular during periods of increased drought, because the community is experiencing water savings of about 35-40% compared to traditional methods.
Irrigation Infrastructures rehabilitation and construction work (wells rehabilitation; pipes laying; solar-powered drip and bubbler irrigation systems installation)
Between March 2022 and June 2022, the bid for procuring the civil work for phase 2 of irrigation rehabilitation and construction was carried on. The infrastructural works will start in September 2022 and briefly include:
In Rababble and Shimbirely:
In Karin, Hammur and Hilkat:
In Jilab-Garowe and Barokhle:
Completion of the construction of the last small-scale dates processing units in Puntland, Somalia.
The construction of the third and last date processing unit in Meladeen commenced in March 2022 and was completed in May 2022.
The DPU will be equipped in July 2022 for the processing of dates in the upcoming harvesting season: it includes washing, sorting, drying, sealing and packaging process. The structure will be powered by electricity produced through green energy thanks to the installation of solar panels.
Two students who were attached to the FSSFS project for on-job training continued to work in the completion of the construction date processing unit in Meladeen.
The arrival of second batch of Date Palm Seedlings in Puntland, Somalia.
The second batch of 1030 culture seedlings was delivered in Karin nursery. After the inspection of the technical team, the 1030seedlings (1,010 Berhi Varieties, 15 Majhool, and 5 Khalas varieties) were transported to Jibaxo nursery where they were transplanted in larger pots before distribution to the farmers while 2970 were earlier taken to Karin nursery. The distribution of the seedlings to the farmers will be done in 6- months to enhance the adaptability to Puntland agro-ecological conditions. Further, CEFA engaged 10 casual labourers to support the transplanting of 1,030 seedlings into the pots in Jibaxo Nursery.
Please keep supporting us in seeing this project taking over and giving more sustainable access to clean water, energy, and food to Somali families!
Links:
Dear Friend,
Greetings from Puntland, Somalia!
We are enormously grateful for your support of the project "Give Clean Water & Energy to 350 Somali Families". We want to share with you some exciting updates on the progress made.
In the months from November 2021 to February 2022 we had a lot of work accomplished. The establishment of two pilot farms and two dates processing units, one in El-Dahir and one in Jibagalle, were finally completed and 3000 date palm seedlings for our beneficiaries have finally reached their destination.
We keep on moving forward despite all the challenges, but we need your continuous support to continue the implementation of this exciting project!
Arrival of date palm seedlings
After a long and challenging process of procurement, the date palm seedlings for our beneficiaries were finally delivered to our office in Bossaso in January and immediately checked by our staff.
Date seedlings were propagated in vitro in the United Arab Emirates, they are between 8 and 14 months old, and are of different varieties as specified below:
- 800 seedlings of Majool variety
- 1,300 seedlings of variety Khalas
- 700 seedlings of Barhi variety
- 200 seedlings of Ghanami variety
Once welcomed by CEFA staff, the seedlings were transported and irrigated at the nursery set up by CEFA in Karin Ago, Bari region, where they will remain for the next 4-6 months for acclimatization before being distributed to farmers in Puntland.
Another 1,000 seedlings are expected at the end of March 2022.
On-job training on Procurement and Engineering Reporting for the Students and Young Professionals
In order to complete the 2021 on-the-job training activities, CEFA organized two days of workshop for students, professionals, and contractors for the FSSFS project in Martisoor Hotel Garowe. The workshop ran from 15th -16th December 2021 and was attended by 50 people from PSU (Puntland State University), East Africa University, and contractors. The main learning activities of the workshop were oriented on procurement procedures and engineering report writing.
The workshop aimed also to create an environment for the students to showcase the skills learned during the on-job training and share their experience with the on-job training activity. The workshop presented a great opportunity for the contractors to showcase the services they offered.
Eventually, the workshop presented the students with opportunities to interact with the service providers (contractors) who are their potential employers. CEFA on the other hand took the opportunity to present to the contractors how they should fill in the tender documents in consideration for future calls.
Completion of the construction of the small-scale dates processing units in El-Dahir and Jibagale pilot farms.
The works have started successfully in September 2021. The structure of the two processing units has now been completed and is ready to be on a service! Both the processing units will equipped for the processing of the dates, including washing, sorting, drying, sealing and packaging process.
The processing unit in El-Dahir will be entirely powered by the Off-Grid Box solar energy system, generating zero CO2 emissions and contributing towards the improvement of the post-harvesting process of dates in Puntland.
Innovative model of dates solar dryer ICARO, Off-Grid-Box and Drip Irrigation System for date palm farming are in Salalah!
The container for the shipment of the Off-Grid Box, master model of ICARO and all necessary supplies for Drip Irrigation System for date palm farming has finally arrived from Italy to the port of Salalah, in Oman, and it will be subsequently transferred to the port of Bossaso, in Puntland, predictably by the end of March.
CEFA staff is excited to start manufacturing the dates solar dryer in Puntland, in collaboration with the local private sector following all the supplementary materials including construction manual and a video tutorial that have been produced by the Polytechnic University of Turin, which are always supportive and present to help our staff in supervising the replication of the “Icaro” in Puntland through remote technical support.
Due to the adoption of sustainable technologies and renewable energy, the date harvest will be guaranteed even in critical conditions, in particular during periods of increased drought, because the community is experiencing water savings of about 35-40% compared to traditional methods, reducing irrigation costs due to the use of clean energy, and improving production thanks to the training and tools they have received.
Puntland Mission and new Project Manager handover
In order to complete the handover of the project to the new Project Manager, all the team has united in Puntland to discuss all the past achievements and the future evolution of our project. Our team visited all the construction sites, nurseries and pilot farms confirming a great commitment of the staff on the ground and stakeholders at an institutional level and in the private sector, in order to improve food security conditions and increase income opportunities in agriculture for Puntland communities.
From this mission our team confirms its commitment in working to strengthen skills in the field, raising awareness among local authorities, facilitating access to the labor market, and providing quality agricultural inputs to implement the best practices that have been tried so far.
Please keep supporting us in seeing this project taking over and giving more sustainable access to clean water, energy, and food for Somali families!
Links:
Dear Friend,
Greetings from Puntland, Somalia!
We are enormously grateful for your support of the project "Give Clean Water & Energy to 350 Somali Families". We want to share with you some updates on the progress made.
In the last couple of months, the preparation of the El-Dahir pilot farm has continued and we completed the construction of the dates processing unit building. We keep on moving forward, but we need your continuous support to continue the implementation of this exciting project!
Process of the construction of the small-scale dates processing unit in El-Dahir pilot farm.
After the conduction of a competitive procurement process, CEFA has identified a contractor for the construction of the small-scale processing unit for dates in the pilot farm of El-Dahir. The works have started successfully in September 2021, and the structure of the processing unit has now been completed. The processing unit will be soon equipped for the processing of the dates.
The processing unit will be entirely powered by the Off-Grid Box solar energy, generating zero CO2 emissions, and contributing towards the improvement of the post-harvesting process of dates in Puntland.
On-the-job training of 4 university students during the construction of the dates processing unit.
During the construction works of the processing unit, 4 engineering students (both < 35 years, 2 males and 2 females) from the East Africa and Puntland Universities were attached and trained on the construction site. For a month, the students have been receiving combined sessions of practice and theory from the project engineer on the site, to complement their academic background and to facilitate their access to the labor market.
Innovative model of dates solar dryer in collaboration with the Polytechnic of Turin University for replication by the private sector in Puntland and adoption in the El-Dahir Pilot Farm
CEFA will introduce in the dates processing unit an innovative model of solar dryer developed by the Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy.
The master model "Icaro", which was presented and described in a previous report, was approved after the testing process in Italy. The sample is ready to be shipped to Bossaso to start manufacturing the solar dryer in Puntland, in collaboration with the local private sector. To this end, a construction manual and a video tutorial have been produced by the Polytechnic University of Turin, which will continue supervising the replication of the “Icaro” in Puntland through remote technical support.
Procurement of an innovative drip irrigation system for date palm farming.
CEFA has identified and is in the process of procuring an innovative drip irrigation system for date palm farming in the El-Dahir pilot farm.
This drip irrigation system mainly consists of ring-shaped drip lines and drips, which directly apply water into the tree root zone of the date palm, supporting a discharge ability of 200 liters per tree per day delivered within 2.5 hrs.
Generally, drip irrigation systems allow more efficient water use when compared to other irrigation methods. However, the Puntland context can, sometimes, result problematic in the adoption of drip irrigation systems, due to the high-water salinity level. The proposed ring-shaped drip irrigation system utilizes super-sized water emitters to mitigate salinity challenges. These emitters are augmented up to 20% more in comparison to conventional drips and are thus designed to counter the salty water-caused clogging, resulting in lower maintenance costs. Supersized water emitters make this drip system ideal for the Puntland context to mitigate salinity challenges.
In addition, their emission rate can be adjusted for different crops. The drip ring can be up to 15 meters in length to allow adjustment and continued usage as the tree grows owing to its expanding root system. The ring is connected with several emitters located approximately 0.5 apart. The ring-shaped drip emitters will be augmented to ensure they do not get clogged with the salts emanating from the Puntland salty water and also ensure a shorter irrigation duration of maximum 2.5 hours per day at a rate of at least 0.45l/min/emitter. This high rate of emission will also prevent backflow and will be designed with end caps or flush valves.
The Off-Grid Box will power through solar energy a water submersible pump, that will lift water from the shallow well up to 30,000.00 liters elevated tank (7 meters). From the elevated tank, the water will be distributed to the date palms orchard through a ring-shaped drip irrigation system, that is intended to provide water at the drip line for palm trees in a more efficient manner, saving a considerable amount of water.
Preparation for the shipment of the Off-Grid Box, master model of ICARO solar dryer, and the processing unit equipment.
The container for the shipment of the Off-Grid Box and master model of ICARO is being prepared and is almost ready. The shipment is programmed for the month of January 2022, from Italy to the port of Salalah, in Oman, where it will be subsequently forwarded to the port of Bossaso, in Puntland. In February 2022, the container will be offloaded to start the transport and the installation in the El-Dahir pilot farm.
Please keep supporting us to help us see this project taking over and to give more sustainable access to clean water, energy, and food for Somali families!
Links:
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