The Narweyne Vegetable Farm turns dry land in the Narweyne community (Balad District, Middle Shabelle) into productive cropland. Water for the farm comes from the solar-powered water pumping system installed by EWB-SOM on the community’s existing wells, so crops can be irrigated without fuel costs.
From arid land to cultivated fields
The land was cleared, ploughed and laid out in beds, then connected to the solar pump. Irrigation lines deliver water directly to the plants, which saves water and lets the farm produce vegetables even in the dry seasons.
What the farm produces
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the farm’s main crop. They are picked both green and ripe, sorted after harvest and sold fresh. Tomatoes are one of the most-used vegetables in Somali cooking, so there is steady local demand.
Bell peppers
Bell peppers (sweet peppers) are grown alongside the tomatoes. They need regular water, which the solar pump provides, and they bring a good price in the market.
Chilli peppers
Hot chilli peppers are a hardy crop that does well in the Narweyne heat. They are sold fresh and can also be dried, which lets the farm store and sell them over a longer period.
Benefits for the community
- Fresh vegetables grown locally instead of brought in from far away
- Work and income for families in the Narweyne community
- Low running costs, because the pump runs on solar power instead of diesel
- Close to Mogadishu, so produce can reach the city’s markets quickly
See also: Narweyne livestock ยท Narweyne community