Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) The Federal Government of Somalia has officially inaugurated on Monday the country’s first-ever Agricultural Crop Testing Laboratory, an initiative under the Somali Agricultural Regulation and Inspection Service (SARIS). The move represents a significant step toward improving agricultural input quality, ensuring food safety, and modernizing the nation’s farming sector.
The facility was opened by the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, H.E. Mohamed Abdi Hayir (Mareye), who emphasized its central role in regulating and verifying the safety and effectiveness of fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds prior to their distribution and use within Somalia.
“Effective immediately, all fertilizers and pesticides entering Somalia must undergo testing at this laboratory,” said Minister Mareye during the launch. “This is a crucial investment in the health of our environment, the well-being of our citizens, and the future of our agricultural productivity.”
Operational since May 2025, the SARIS laboratory forms part of a broader national strategy to strengthen agricultural infrastructure, increase productivity, and build a resilient, self-sustaining food system. Authorities say the facility will provide farmers with access to high-quality, scientifically validated agricultural inputs, while also curbing the circulation of unsafe or counterfeit products that have historically damaged crops and degraded soil quality.
The establishment of the laboratory is widely seen as a milestone in Somalia’s commitment to sustainable development, improved food security, and enhanced oversight in one of the country’s most vital economic sectors.
