Soil Sampling and Profiling Study in Baki District to Support Sustainable Agriculture

The Information Management Centre (IMC) for Land and Water, in collaboration with the FAO-SWALIM programme and relevant line ministries, conducted a soil sampling and soil profiling field mission in the agricultural areas of Baki District, Awdal Region, Somaliland. The mission aimed to generate critical soil data to support sustainable land management, climate-smart agriculture, and evidence-based agricultural planning. Baki District is an important agricultural production zone where farmers rely primarily on rain-fed and semi-irrigated farming systems. However, the area is increasingly affected by soil fertility decline, land degradation, and climate variability, which pose risks to agricultural productivity and food security. The field study involved systematic soil sampling and soil profile assessments to analyze soil characteristics, land capability, and soil fertility conditions. The collected data will be further analyzed through laboratory testing and geospatial analysis using GIS tools to develop practical recommendations for improved land management. The outcomes of this initiative will contribute to establishing a baseline soil database for Baki District, supporting informed decision-making for farmers, policymakers, and development partners working toward sustainable agriculture and environmental resilience in Somaliland.