Attachments
Brief Analysis
Calls to Radio Ergo’s audience feedback platform in the week 15-21 May 2025 indicated that many parts of the country had been receiving good rainfall, with many declaring that the drought was over. However, some callers said the rainfall was light or little. Several callers complained about continuing high temperatures even where there was rainfall. Farmers getting on with planting were bothered by destructive pests including aphids and many wanted help with pesticides. A small number of callers mainly in northern regions said they were still facing drought. The following summarises the calls by theme.
Health – a few callers in central locations complained about infestations of mosquitoes and had health concerns.
Prices – a female caller in Burao, Togdher region, noted that meat and milk had become expensive as livestock prices had risen ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha festive season next month.
Jobs – callers in Buale, Middle Juba, and Baidoa, Bay region, said there were no jobs in their areas and they needed aid organisations to create employment opportunities especially for youth.
Education – a female caller from Amaro, Mudug region, said they needed more schools in the area as there were very few. Callers from Amaro have also previously raised this issue.
Livestock – one caller in Marodi-Jeh said they hadn’t had any rain and their livestock were sick with CCPP disease. Others in the north complained of camel and goat diseases. Quite a few livestock callers said their goats had symptoms including coughing and diarrhoea. Herders in areas where there had been rain were also bothered by ticks and parasites affecting their livestock. [Radio Ergo runs weekly Radio Vet programmes answering questions from listeners, with advice from veterinary experts].
Agriculture – farmers especially in Shabelle areas and Baidoa complained of aphids and other pests destroying their crops and vegetables. One farmer in Jowhar wanted to get in touch wth the agriculture ministry for assistance. A caller in Wanleweyn wanted help in accessing pesticides, while a caller in Baidoa said they had sprayed their crops but to no avail.
Environment – callers in Togdher and Galmudug were concerned about the cutting down of trees to make charcoal. A female caller wanted the Galmudug and federal governments to clamp down on this deforestation harming the environment.
Drought – this week a few callers mentioned continuing drought and water shortages. Two callers in Togdher, including one in Dadmaren, said they were struggling with the drought and its impact as well as intense heat and needed help. A caller in Bari complained about extreme heat and no rain. A female caller in Galgadud also said they were still suffering from drought and had sick livestock.
Rainfall – one caller in Marodi-Jeh said they received rainfall and their livestock were getting stronger with the end of drought. Several called from parts of Togdher, with one or two from Sanag and Sool, saying they had rain and the livestock now had access to water and fodder. Some declared that the drought was over. A caller in Bari and another in Galkayo spoke of heavy rains, with the latter female caller hoping the rain wouldn’t be destructive. Two callers in Hobyo, Mudug, said they had some rainfall. In Galgadud, there were callers from various locations celebrating rainfall although some indicated that it was little and they were hoping for further downpours. Among several callers from Hiran, one in Buleburte said their crops were now growing well, whilst one in Beletweyne said that despite the rain it remained very hot. A number of listeners called from different parts of Middle Shabelle including Jowhar, Mahaday, and Warsheikh, saying they were better off now after rainfall. One in Jarirow village said they had had some rainfall and their farms and livestock were doing well. A caller in Daynunay, Bay region, said they had rainfall and temperatures had cooled. Another in Bardera, Gedo region, said the rain there had been heavy and they hoped it would continue.