The Juba Valley region of Somalia has two of the nation's main economic sectors, agriculture and livestock.
To develop these vital economic sectors, Bardera Polytechnic's Board started its most important operation, the Juba Valley Agricultural Institute.
Its second phase academic development included starting Somalia's first comprehensive agricultural program to give thousands of students the education and training needed to succeed in cultivating Southern Somalia’s riverine regions.
Before the institute opened, the Somali government Ministry of Juba Valley Development and other agencies such as the Gosha & Gendiga (animal disease control services) tended to the needs of farmers and livestock herders and provided services from basic farm and animal health services to production and marketing.
Skilled volunteers and students and researchers from the institute aid farmers and livestock herders by visiting fields and pastoral communities.