25th Anniversary of the Istituto Agricolo Coloniale Italiano - 70 centesimo

This steel-blue commemorative stamp was issued in 1929 under the territorial administration of Italian Somaliland ("Poste Somalia") to honor the 25th anniversary of the Istituto Agricolo Coloniale Italiano (Italian Colonial Agricultural Institute), recording the structural timeline 1904–1929. Headquartered in Florence, this specialized scientific institution was tasked with researching tropical agronomy, soil mapping, and engineering modern agricultural infrastructure across Italy's overseas territories. The technical engraving showcases a massive concrete water control barrage and locks on a local river channel—likely part of the major agricultural engineering works along the Shebelle River near Genale. Framed by classical columns topped with stylized Roman fasces axes, this issue paired a celebration of state-sponsored infrastructure and agronomic modernization with a bilingual value inscription ("Lire 1.25" / "ليرة ١.٢٥").