In Somalia, internally displaced women who previously depended on food aid are growing spinach, tomatoes and leafy greens in hydroponic units with nutrient-rich water instead of soil.

In the arid landscape of Baidoa, Somalia, a quiet agricultural revolution is taking root. Displaced by conflict and climate disasters, women like Amina Moallim Hassan are finding new purpose and stability through hydroponic farming — growing vegetables without soil in solar-powered greenhouses. 

“These beautiful farms have changed our lives,”says Amina, who now cultivates spinach and cucumbers in nutrient-rich water and coconut fiber. 

Launched in 2022 by SOS Children’s Villages Somalia, the hydroponics project is a response to the country’s worsening droughts and floods, which have devastated traditional agriculture. With support from Germany and Sweden, 41 greenhouses have been built around Baidoa, each managed by 10 to 15 women.

The initiative has trained over 500 women and youth, equipping them with skills to grow food year-round and earn income. Each participant earns around €43 a month, and the collective turnover reaches €5,200 annually.

The project not only boosts food security but also strengthens community resilience. Somalia’s Minister of Environment, Dini Abdinoor Mohamed, praises the initiative for producing nutritious food and generating income.

As demand grows, women like Hidaya Sheikh Isxaq are calling for more greenhouses and smaller group sizes to expand access. With plans to scale the project nationwide, hydroponics is proving to be a sustainable, climate-smart solution — nurturing both crops and hope in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions.

Source: DW