Field Work
RoobRoon Large-Scale Commercial Wheat Trials in Gabiley: A Model for Impact Investment
Abstract
RoobRoon's experimental wheat trials in Gabiley, Somaliland, aimed to identify economically viable methods to scale wheat production for local flour mills. This project highlights the outcomes of rainfed wheat trials and proposes the implementation of center pivot irrigation to increase yield. The study explores yield improvements, fertilizer strategies, and economic projections, presenting a scalable model with strong ROI potential for institutional and venture capital investors.
Field Hour v.s. Yield
The trials revealed that increased field hours did not directly correlate with yield, reinforcing the need for improved water management through irrigation rather than additional labor.
Farm Size v.s Yield
visualization of the average yield per hectare for small and large farms based on the data extracted from the image. The chart clearly indicates that smaller farms outperform larger ones in terms of yield per hectare.
Introduction
Somaliland's heavy reliance on wheat imports creates economic vulnerabilities and food insecurity. RoobRoon’s initiative to establish local large-scale wheat production leverages the fertile Gabiley region, targeting increased yields through innovative and scalable methods.
The trials focused on achieving two objectives:
Evaluate rainfed wheat production in Gabiley.
Propose center pivot irrigation as a scalable solution to improve wheat yields and ensure economic efficiency.
By investing in irrigation technology and optimizing fertilizer use, RoobRoon aims to create a sustainable model to supply local flour mills and reduce Somaliland’s dependency on imported wheat.
Methodology
Location: Gabiley region, Somaliland
Farm Sizes: The trials were conducted on farms of varying sizes, specifically 68.0 acres, 36.0 acres, 15.0 acres, 17.0 acres, 41.0 acres, 12.0 acres, 20.5 acres, 56.5 acres, 12.5 acres, 5.75 acres, 5.75 acres, 4.25 acres, 4.0 acres, 9.5 acres. This range of farm sizes provided diverse data points for assessing yield across different land scales.
Irrigation: The initial trials were conducted under rainfed conditions. Based on trial results, center pivot irrigation is proposed to increase yield potential.
Yield-Sharing Model: 50% of yield retained by farmers, purchased by RoobRoon at global market prices.
Fertilizer Strategy: 50 kg/ha of Urea (N46) was applied and incorporated into the soil before the onset of the rainy season to maximize nitrogen availability during early growth stages.
Why 50 kg/ha of Urea Was Applied
The decision to apply 50 kg/ha of Urea was based on soil fertility tests indicating moderate nitrogen levels in the Gabiley region. This rate provides 23 kg of pure nitrogen per hectare, which aligns with global recommendations for wheat production in rainfed environments. Excessive nitrogen application in rainfed conditions can lead to excessive vegetative growth, lodging, and inefficient water use, particularly in semi-arid environments.
By incorporating Urea before rainfall, nitrogen losses from volatilization were minimized, and nutrient availability was optimized for plant uptake during early vegetative stages. This approach ensured efficient nutrient use while keeping input costs manageable, supporting RoobRoon’s goal of maximizing economic returns through precision farming.
Results
Yield Analysis
Rainfed wheat trials in Gabiley produced an average yield of 1.05 tons per hectare, below the global rainfed average of 2.5 tons per hectare. These results provided the basis for proposing center pivot irrigation to increase yield potential to match or exceed the global mean.
Rainfed v.s Centre Pivot Irrigation
Here is the yield comparison graph, illustrating the difference between current rainfed wheat yields and projected yields under center pivot irrigation.
Somaliland Wheat Harvest
Harvest image of RoobRoon Wheat trials, successfully produced with data for future exploration leading to food sustainability. This is the first project of it's kind since the colonial era.