Resilience In Motion- The Story of Haadful Farm

Once a barren stretch of land, overrun with invasive thickets and baked by relentless sun, Haadful Farm now defies the dry, monotonous landscape of Dollow. Nestled on the outskirts of town, the gentle rush of water through the irrigation pipes and the first swathes of green crops bring a sense of relief to travelers and locals alike. 

This is the story of how a once-forgotten plot became a living oasis, and what it means for the people who call now depend on this farm for livelihoods.

Somalia is facing one of the worst droughts in decades, failed rain seasons have stripped away livelihoods for the semi agricultural and pastoral communities. Millions have lost livestock and crops resulting in the being forced out of the homes.

In Dollow, amid a narrative of hopelessness, a story of defiance and resilience is taking root at Haadful Farm. Over 200 families who initially transitioned from unconditional cash transfers are now on the path to recovery and receiving conditional cash transfers to support their daily needs. 

The farm has restored their hope through farming activities on land that was once barren and unforgiving. With the support of WFP and World Vision Somalia, the farm has been transformed into a farmer’s paradise—fully equipped with irrigation equipment, water storage tanks, and a solar-powered system that ensures crops are watered every day of the week. Farmers have been trained in good agricultural practices and provided with drought-resistant seeds, empowering them to cultivate with confidence and secure a more resilient future for their communities.

HOPE RESTORED

Nadifo Mohammed- a mother of six

I was displaced from Bardere after I lost all my livestock to the drought. I used to do some farming, relying on rain, but I don’t remember the last time we received any meaningful rain. At first, I was receiving unconditional cash, but later I graduated to this programme. Through it, I received training on good agricultural practices, and my life has completely changed. I am now growing enough vegetables for my family and selling the rest at the market. Water is now the least of our worries.”

Hassan- water melon farmer

I have been a farmer in this community for years, but we always struggled with access to water, and my yield was never enough. Joining this program brought so much relief for me and my family. I am proud to be the biggest watermelon farmer here, and in a good season, I make enough to sustain my family. Without this support, life would have been hard, especially with this drought.”

With support from WFP, World Vision has installed 107 solar panels generating 585 watts of power, along with three water pumping systems, at Haadful Farm providing farmers with reliable energy and consistent irrigation for their crops.

As a result, yields have significantly improved, leaving farmers self-reliant, able to care for their families, and capable of feeding the surrounding community. Through this partnership, World Vision and WFP are helping communities in Dollow recover from prolonged droughts that have left millions across the country in dire need of humanitarian support