00:01Feeding these goats food from an unexpected source
00:04is helping to preserve poor soils
00:06in the self-governing autonomous region of Somaliland.
00:11Olbarkadol village has turned prosopis, an invasive tree species,
00:15into a nutritious animal feed.
00:17Herders like Kaiza Ismael are extremely thankful
00:20for this community-led innovation.
00:24We began to see many benefits from the prosopis feed.
00:28During drought, this tree is the only option for food.
00:32Village leader Mohamoud Abdullah is driving the effort.
00:38Prosopis has taken over grazing land where livestock used to feed.
00:43It has also invaded farmland.
00:45At first, people saw no value in the tree.
00:48But over time, people began to understand its potential.
00:53The secret is this machine.
01:00After collecting the prosopis, the villagers feed it into the grinder.
01:05The result? Nourishing powdered food for the animals.
01:12Prosopis is a plant species native to the Americas.
01:15It was introduced to East Africa in the 1960s as part of soil stabilization efforts.
01:21The invasive tree spread rapidly through the region in the 1980s
01:25and now covers an estimated 6,000 square kilometers in Somaliland.
01:31Prosopis consumes significant amounts of water, killing native trees that depend on it.
01:36Its spread hinders these indigenous plants from multiplying.
01:40Some consider it the most dangerous invasive species in East Africa.
01:45The tree has been especially harmful to Somaliland as it struggles with severe drought.
01:51Therefore, communities must remove the tree to preserve the environment.
01:57This charcoal is another major part of the solution.
02:01It's made entirely from prosopis and has become the most popular charcoal in Hargeys' restaurants.
02:07Chef Fadi Mohammed swears by prosopis-based charcoal, using it exclusively at his popular Syrian restaurant.
02:16I've tried all the types, but I've found that the prosopis charcoal is the best.
02:21It's quick to ignite, it lasts a while, and the price is good.
02:27Two kilos of prosopis charcoal lasts one and a half to two hours.
02:31Other ones last about 45 minutes.
02:34This one is a lot better.
02:37The people making it happen are back at Al Barkadal.
02:41Leading the charge is Abdul Hassan, who powers the village's charcoal business.
02:47First we cut the tree from the base.
02:49Then we cut it into logs, then stack them and cover them with soil.
02:55We set it on fire and place corrugated sheets on top.
02:59Then when it matures, the soil is removed and the metal sheets are taken off.
03:04That's how it turns into charcoal.
03:08Once the process is complete, Farah Mohammed bags up the charcoal
03:12and takes it to Hargeys' bustling markets.
03:20This business pays for itself.
03:22I make a profit of one dollar from each bundle.
03:25I manage as best as I can.
03:28I'm raising my children well.
03:30We keep going with whatever I earn.
03:34Despite this success, the Ministry of Environment says prosopis projects still face challenges.
03:41It's good to say it needs more and more investment.
03:46Because the people in Somalian people, mainly, they don't have that skills.
03:53So they need to make training.
03:55To tackle the spread of prosopis, organizations like Apica go to schools to teach students what the tree is
04:02and the unique opportunities it presents.
04:07This tree grows within a year and develops very quickly.
04:10Often its roots extend deep underground, reaching up to 30 meters.
04:16We teach them about the benefits of the prosopis tree
04:19and how it can be used effectively so they can benefit from it economically.
04:24For example, they can make charcoal from it, in turn preserving the land's soil and water.
04:31In Somaliland's rural areas, some communities are also launching reforestation efforts to restore the region's biodiversity.
04:39Hasan Ali and Khadar Mohamed have reinvigorated the environment by planting trees
04:44and building water harvesting structures to sustain them.
04:49This fence is designed to protect their trees from both villagers
04:52who are looking to cut down the trees for charcoal and destructive wildlife.
04:58These efforts have helped in the battle against prosopis.
05:04We are not struggling with prosopis so far.
05:10This is because we protect the natural vegetation.
05:15Our work has prevented prosopis from easily spreading in our area.
05:23Strenuous work, but Khadar Mohamed is happy with the results.
05:29The livestock graze and feed on these native trees.
05:35If you go under their shade, you will not feel how hot it is outside, no matter what.
05:40The joy of living in this environment is beyond measure.
05:46In contrast to that success, most communities in Somaliland are still battling prosopis, as in al-Barkadal.
05:56Now the goats are ready for feeding time, rushing in to get the first taste of the powder.
06:03But it's people like Mohamed Abdullah who are doing their part to keep their herds alive
06:08and preserve the environment by cutting down and grinding prosopis, one tree at a time.
06:13We'll keep on track and Raymond.
06:14And we're doing our best.
06:15We'll keep on track and see how many new products are to be.
06:15And there's such a topic that we're doing, all the things we have and the cooking companies are doing.
06:18We'll keep on track and see how many new products are working.
06:18You
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