"A Comprehensive Overview of Challenges and Prospects in Large-Scale Rice Production Among Farmers in Jawhar, Middle Shabelle, Somalia"

Abstract

Rice, an essential staple crop, plays a pivotal role in global food security. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities encountered in large-scale rice production within the context of Jawhar, Middle Shabelle, Somalia. The paper initiates by acknowledging rice's significance as a primary caloric source and introduces the two principal cultivated species, Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima, along with divergent cultivation methodologies. Addressing the plight of food production and specific rice cultivation impediments in Somalia, the study underscores the necessity for comprehensive remedial measures. Prominently, the review investigates environmental exigencies, with a focal point on the perturbations induced by climate change. Additionally, adverse repercussions associated with conventional farming practices, such as puddling and inundation, are scrutinized. The critical concern of water scarcity is explored, necessitating the formulation of water-conservation strategies to ensure the sustainability of rice agriculture. Climate change emerges as a predominant issue, with implications for rice cultivation through elevated temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and heightened prevalence of pests and diseases. Furthermore, we touch upon infrastructural and technical limitations, including manual harvesting and post-harvest operations, underlining the need for the adoption of modern technologies to enhance productivity. This scholarly review underscores the imperative of addressing environmental, climatic, and technical complexities to safeguard food security and promote sustainable large-scale rice production in Jawhar, Middle Shabelle, Somalia.