The Role of Agriculture in Somalia Economic Growth: A Comparative Analysis with Türkiye

AbstractThis study investigates the contribution of agriculture, particularly livestock production, to Somalia’s economic growth and draws policy-relevant insights from Türkiye’s experience with agricultural transformation. So, this paper analyzes sectoral outputs, employment shares, infrastructure and institutional dynamics in both countries through a comparative analysis based on secondary data. Agriculture accounts around 70 percent of Somalia’s GDP and employs more than 80 percent of the population, yet the country remains vulnerable to climate shocks, weak infrastructure, and limited technological adoption. Türkiye, by contrast, has transitioned to a diversified, export-oriented agricultural economy through strategic investments in irrigation, rural development, research and development, and market integration. Despite differences in economic scale and institutional capacity, Türkiye’s agricultural transformation offers critical lessons for Somalia’s development path, particularly in livestock and smallholder support like an expanding rural infrastructure and irrigation to improve productivity and market access, and strengthening agricultural institutions and extension services to support smallholders and livestock development.