In the heart of Somalia, where years of conflict and climate challenges have tested the limits of human endurance, one man continues to rise above adversity with a mission rooted in hope, knowledge, and community empowerment. Ahmed Abdullahi Mohamed, popularly known as Agronomist Ahmed Tall, is not only a farmer and educator but also a change-maker redefining agricultural resilience in one of Africa’s toughest environments. As the SAWBO Farmers Africa Network (SFAN) Team Leader for Somalia, Ahmed’s work has inspired thousands of farmers and youth to embrace improved farming practices, digital learning, and self-reliance.
With limited resources but boundless determination, Ahmed Tall shares climate-smart farming techniques with farmers in Hiran Region, Somalia. Part of his mission is to build resilience through SAWBO’s e-extension platform. Photo Credit: Ahmed Tall
Ahmed’s journey with Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO) began with a simple idea that animated knowledge can change lives. Recognizing the power of SAWBO’s short, multilingual video animations, Ahmed began using them to train farmers across Somalia on sustainable farming techniques, pest management, and post-harvest handling.
“Farmers here are eager to learn. When they see information in their own language, presented in a way they understand, they adopt it immediately,” Ahmed says.
This approach has helped bridge the knowledge gap among smallholder farmers, enabling them to improve productivity and reduce losses.
Overcoming Harsh Realities with Hope
Somalia’s agriculture faces enormous challenges, recurring droughts, insecurity, and poor infrastructure. Yet, Ahmed’s unwavering determination keeps him in the field, walking long distances through remote areas to ensure that farmers receive the right information and practical demonstrations.
Through extension visits and demo plots, he trains communities on managing pests like fall army worm, improving soil fertility with organic manure, and using innovative techniques and mixed cropping for better yields. With each visit, he not only shares knowledge but also restores confidence among farmers striving to adapt to climate change and secure their livelihoods.
Empowering Communities Through Digital Agriculture
Ahmed’s influence extends beyond the fields. His Facebook page, Agronomist Ahmed Tall (Agro), now with over 10,000 followers, has become a digital classroom for Somali farmers and youth. Through engaging posts and sharing SAWBO videos, he teaches practical steps in crop management. Farmers interact, share experiences, and find motivation to try new methods.
Ahmed is also passionate about youth involvement in agriculture. He often visits or brings schools to his demonstration farms, encouraging students to start small gardens and learn how to produce food sustainably. “Every school should teach gardening,” he insists. “It grows knowledge, healthy habits, and a love for nature.”
From top to bottom, Agronomist Ahmed Tall guides different groups of students and youth through hands-on lessons on vegetable, maize farming, and soil sampling at his demonstration plots in Hiran Region. Photo Credit: Ahmed Tall.
Leadership Rooted in Resilience
As Somalia’s SAWBO Team Leader, Ahmed coordinates training programs, mobilizes volunteers, and collaborates with government officers and NGOs to expand SAWBO’s outreach. His work demonstrates how digital learning tools can thrive even in fragile regions when driven by passion and community trust. Within the SAWBO Farmers Africa Network, Ahmed’s achievements are often cited as a model of grassroots innovation and digital inclusion. He blends scientific knowledge with local wisdom, helping communities see that technology and tradition can work hand in hand for lasting change.
A Vision for the Future
Ahmed dreams of a Somalia where farmers are self-reliant, digitally connected, and equipped with climate-smart knowledge. He continues to advocate for partnerships that expand e-extension services, strengthen community training, and promote youth-led agribusiness. “Change takes time, but every video we share, every farmer we train, is a seed planted for a better Somalia.” Ahmed reflects,
Through his courage, empathy, and dedication, Ahmed Abdullahi Mohamed stands as a beacon of hope proving that even in hardship, knowledge remains the strongest tool for transformation.
