An integrated approach to sustainable food production systems: a case study of Somalia

Abstract

Food production serves as a vital foundation for food security, economic stability, and social well-being, especially in fragile and low-income settings such as Somalia. Although agricultural activities continue to be fundamental to food production, structural determinants—such as income inequality, institutional quality, industrialization, and fisher captures—play a significant role in influencing long-term productivity outcomes. This research investigates the combined impact of capture fisheries output, income disparity, institutional governance, and industrial development on food production in Somalia, employing annual data from 1991 to 2020). The analysis adopts a log-linear specification and applies the ARDL bounds testing approach, DOLS, and Granger causality techniques. The analysed data reveal that captures fisheries, industrial growth, and institutional quality exert positive and statistically significant effects on food production, but income disparity has a significantly adverse impact. Granger causality results further reveal important feedback relationships between food production, governance, and industrial development. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating marine resource utilization, industrial development, and institutional governance within a comprehensive food production system in Somalia. The findings provide important insights for strengthening sustainable and integrated food production systems in Somalia through improved fisheries management, agro-industrial development, institutional capacity building, and inclusive strategies to reduce inequality.