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Friday, July 27, 2012

Somaliland's thriving livestock business – in pictures

By Mark Tran , the Gaurdian - In Somaliland, where farm animals easily outnumber people, livestock contributes 60-65% of the gross domestic product. Most hard currency is generated through the export of livestock and 60% of people depend on livestock for a living. The market in Hargeisa and the port of Berbera are at the centre of this thriving business.

Read also :  Berbera port and pastoralism prove livestock's worth in Somaliland



Livestock are exported by ship. The port's general manager says Berbera needs investment of $65m to double its size and make it deeper

Camels oblivious to the broiling heat of Berbera. About 60% of the population depends on livestock and livestock products. Out of these, 55% lead a nomadic lifestyle. Pastoralists keep a combination of camels, goats, sheep and cattle

Vendors at the Hargeisa livestock market, where the new shelter enables them to do business for longer

Vendors selling food and milk at the livestock market

Traders take a break at the Hargeisa livestock market, which is packed with animals early in the morning

The refurbishment of the Hargeisa livestock market has provided traders with shelter from the sun and rain

The livestock market in Hargeisa has undergone improvements with financial assistance from the UK Department for International Development. A perimeter wall has been built to stop animals straying and to block encroachment from home builders

Goats and sheep wandering around the streets are a common sight in Hargeisa

Farm animals easily outnumber people in Somaliland. Compared with a population of 3.8 million people, there are an estimated 8.4 million goats, 8.7 million sheep, 1.6 million camels and 400,000 cattle

The distinctive black-headed sheep is particularly prized by Saudis, who think the meat tastes better than lamb from Australia or New Zealand

A lorry in Hargeisa, Somaliland's capital, sets out to collect camel milk. Traders in perishable goods such as milk face considerable losses due to spoilage - All photos by 

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