Proposed systemic levers for the sustainable and inclusive transformation of food systems in Somalia:

• Institutional capacity building capable of undertaking adaptive research and extension services, developing agriculture policy and regulations and promoting linkages in the agriculture value chains.

• Increase sustainable production and productivity of staple food crops, fruits and vegetables, as well as crop diversification in both irrigated and rainfed agriculture systems and improve rangeland quality to better support livestock.

• Support the strengthening of agricultural value chains and creating a larger market for the agricultural sector through improved quality standards.

• (Re)-introduce land tenure law to protect natural resources (rangeland, agricultural land and water reservoirs) from overexploitation (overgrazing, illegal land enclosures, charcoal production and inefficient water use.

• Reestablish key rangeland protection and natural resource management institutions (including the Rangeland Agency and River Authority) to improve environmental governance within the emerging federal system in Somalia.

• Adopt an inclusive approach to the implementation of Somalia’s poverty reduction strategy with focus on regional development, women empowerment and youth employment to address economic, geographical and social inequities.

• Adopt a regional approach to the development of rural infrastructure (including roads, airports and ports) to facilitate greater access to markets and basic services (water, electricity and health) across the country.

• Improved targeting, scaling up and effective coordination of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions that build on current successes, but have limited coverage.

• A broad range of nutrition-sensitive policy instruments including regulatory measures, fiscal measures, and communications and capacity-building measures could be used to incentivize food production, alongside the processing and marketing of nutrient-dense foods.

• Investment in long-term government-led safety nets that embed a productive component to ensure access to food all year-round while protecting and sustaining livelihoods before, during and after shocks.