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Traditionally, Somali women have used sisal, particularly from the local species Sansevieria ehrenbergii, to craft ropes. Sisal's global popularity is growing due to its biodegradable and environmentally friendly properties.
Sisal is versatile and has numerous applications:
Moreover, sisal waste has valuable uses, including animal feed, bio-energy, bio-fertilizers, and farmyard manure.
In December 2014, a Candlelight team visited Kenya to study sisal production and its effects on rural communities, particularly women. Candlelight for Environment, Education, and Health, supported financially by the International Solidarity Foundation (a Finnish organization active in Somaliland), is spearheading a project to boost the value of sisal production.
This project is located in the Go’da Weyn Valley, where Agave sisalana was introduced in the 1950s. The area has the largest concentration of this sisal type in Somaliland and is a key production hub. The project includes:
Beneficiaries of the project received training in sisal farming techniques to enhance plantation capacity and were supported with communal irrigation systems, sisal seeds and seedlings, and agricultural tools. After decorticating the sisal plant, farmers utilize the waste for animal feed and bio-fertilizers.
The program also offered training to improve entrepreneurial skills, helping households generate income. Participants learned to create custom sisal designs for products like handbags, baskets, and carpets, which have higher market value. Collection points for sisal were established in four villages, managed by the most active local entrepreneurs. These points link sisal producers with buyers. Additionally, retailers of sisal products in Hargeisa and other towns benefited from the project.
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