Somali Brothers Invest in Dairy Farm to Meet Growing Demand for Fresh Milk
Source: DairyNews.today
In an effort to rebuild Somalia's dairy industry, four Somali brothers have made a significant investment, importing dozens of Holstein Friesian cows—renowned as the world’s top milk-producing breed.
Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in parts of the country, particularly with al Shabaab's presence, a relative period of stability in the capital, Mogadishu, has begun to attract investment from both locals and Somalis living abroad.
The brothers, aiming to revive an industry decimated by years of war, have invested $370,000 to establish Som Dairy. The country's traditional cattle breeds, primarily managed by pastoralists, produce minimal milk, creating an opportunity for entrepreneurs like Dahir, one of the brothers, to introduce high-yield dairy farming.
“We invested because we want to revive the dairy industry that was destroyed during the war and to provide high-production animals for Somalis,” Dahir explained from the facility, located just two kilometers outside the capital. Currently, Som Dairy produces 600 liters of fresh milk daily from 35 of their 54 dairy cows. The remaining cows are not yet producing milk due to calving cycles.
However, the transition hasn’t been without challenges. According to Abdullahi Abdirahim, a worker at Som Dairy, the imported cows initially struggled to adapt to Somalia’s harsh climate, with some dying due to the unfamiliar weather conditions. “It took about one and a half years for the cows to adjust to the climate,” Abdirahim noted, highlighting the effort and patience required to establish the business.
Since importing their first cows in 2016, Som Dairy has become profitable, though specific financial details were not disclosed. Local shopkeeper Nuradin Haji Omar, who buys 20 liters of milk daily from the dairy, attested to the product's growing popularity. “I started buying 15 liters last year because people didn’t know about the milk. Now I sell about 20 liters, and customers praise its quality,” Omar said. He purchases the milk at $1.20 per liter and resells it at $1.50, highlighting both the growing demand and profitability.
Somalia’s dairy industry remains in its infancy, with Som Dairy being one of only two dairies serving the country's population of 14 million. The venture's milk is competitively priced at $1.20 per liter, significantly cheaper than camel milk, which sells for $2 per liter in the region. This pricing advantage, coupled with the dairy’s consistent supply, has helped Som Dairy establish itself as a key player in the local market.
Beyond milk production, the imported Holstein Friesian cows have also garnered interest from local farmers, who are now crossbreeding their traditional cattle with Som Dairy’s bulls to improve milk yields. This growing interest signals a potential transformation in Somalia’s livestock industry, which could help strengthen the local economy and improve food security.
Dahir and his brothers' ambitious project represents a promising step towards revitalizing Somalia’s dairy sector, providing fresh milk to local consumers and paving the way for future agricultural innovation in the region.
The brothers, aiming to revive an industry decimated by years of war, have invested $370,000 to establish Som Dairy. The country's traditional cattle breeds, primarily managed by pastoralists, produce minimal milk, creating an opportunity for entrepreneurs like Dahir, one of the brothers, to introduce high-yield dairy farming.
“We invested because we want to revive the dairy industry that was destroyed during the war and to provide high-production animals for Somalis,” Dahir explained from the facility, located just two kilometers outside the capital. Currently, Som Dairy produces 600 liters of fresh milk daily from 35 of their 54 dairy cows. The remaining cows are not yet producing milk due to calving cycles.
However, the transition hasn’t been without challenges. According to Abdullahi Abdirahim, a worker at Som Dairy, the imported cows initially struggled to adapt to Somalia’s harsh climate, with some dying due to the unfamiliar weather conditions. “It took about one and a half years for the cows to adjust to the climate,” Abdirahim noted, highlighting the effort and patience required to establish the business.
Since importing their first cows in 2016, Som Dairy has become profitable, though specific financial details were not disclosed. Local shopkeeper Nuradin Haji Omar, who buys 20 liters of milk daily from the dairy, attested to the product's growing popularity. “I started buying 15 liters last year because people didn’t know about the milk. Now I sell about 20 liters, and customers praise its quality,” Omar said. He purchases the milk at $1.20 per liter and resells it at $1.50, highlighting both the growing demand and profitability.
Somalia’s dairy industry remains in its infancy, with Som Dairy being one of only two dairies serving the country's population of 14 million. The venture's milk is competitively priced at $1.20 per liter, significantly cheaper than camel milk, which sells for $2 per liter in the region. This pricing advantage, coupled with the dairy’s consistent supply, has helped Som Dairy establish itself as a key player in the local market.
Beyond milk production, the imported Holstein Friesian cows have also garnered interest from local farmers, who are now crossbreeding their traditional cattle with Som Dairy’s bulls to improve milk yields. This growing interest signals a potential transformation in Somalia’s livestock industry, which could help strengthen the local economy and improve food security.
Dahir and his brothers' ambitious project represents a promising step towards revitalizing Somalia’s dairy sector, providing fresh milk to local consumers and paving the way for future agricultural innovation in the region.
23.09.2024
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