Context
Ongoing internal conflicts in South Sudan have taken their toll on the country’s economic cycles. 1.95 million people are currently classified as internally displaced and 2.5 million people depend on food aid. In total, as many as 6.4 million people are affected by food insecurity as a result of displacement, refugee movements, the loss of production resources or unproductive farming methods. This also applies to the project region, which includes the states of Central, Eastern and Western Equatoria – an area known as the Green Belt due to its agricultural potential – and the newly established Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
Objective
The livelihoods of returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the local population in the Green Belt and in Greater Pibor have improved.
Approach
In the Green Belt, the project supports the efforts of small-scale farmers to increase production of key staple foods and vegetables, including maize, millet and tomatoes. In Farmer Field Schools farmers learn about innovative cultivation methods as well as ways to reduce post-harvest losses and the associated health risks. To boost added value, they are assisted in improving the processing of harvests. Farmers receive seeds and small tools, and learn about techniques for local seed multiplication. The construction of warehouses enables them to store their harvests properly. The project also encourages the formation of producer associations. Employees from the state agricultural extension services receive training, which will enable them to advise small-scale farmers more effectively in future.
In Greater Pibor, animal husbandry plays a key role in securing livelihoods. It is therefore important to help replenish the decimated livestock. With this in mind, the project carries out vaccination campaigns, trains animal health workers and rehabilitates watering places for cattle on grazing grounds. It also plans to increase agricultural production in domestic gardens by encouraging people to grow a variety of vegetables and staple foods.
To meet the most pressing needs of the population in Greater Pibor, the project is improving the supply of safe drinking water by rehabilitating and drilling 50 wells. It is also carrying out hygiene awareness campaigns. A youth centre is planned for young women and men, where they will be able to acquire basic skills that open up new economic opportunities and learn about mechanisms for peaceful conflict resolution.