The Catholic Relief Service (CRS) Country Manager in South Sudan, Dr Tapfuma Marobe, on Thursday commended the progress made by the agro-pastoralist project funded by Global Affairs Canada in Lakes State.
He made the remarks following a visit to project sites in Akot and Aluakluak payams of Rumbek East and Yirol West counties, respectively.
Marobe said they have been working with farmers who were provided with seeds and agricultural extension support to enhance their production of crops, including sorghum and millet. He added that CRS is glad to be in Lakes State, where they have been focusing on livelihood support, peace building, and gender.
“This project is being implemented in partnership with the Lakes State Government, working predominantly in partnership with three ministries of gender, peacebuilding, and agriculture,” he said. “We are working in collaboration, and this particular week, we have been here with our donor, Global Affairs Canada. They wanted to come and also interface with the government officials, the project steering committee, CRS staff, the community, as well as the structures and leadership.”
“We are working in collaboration through different partners and hoping that we can be able to get additional support to extend the benefits of this project to many other communities within Lakes State,” Marobe added.
He lauded the good working relations with the Government of Lakes State and thanked the latter for hosting them.
Marobe highlighted that the agro-pastoralists said they are now able to coexist with members of different communities because the peacebuilding program had educated them about the importance of communal social cohesion.
He encouraged peace committees within the pastoralists’ camps to continue their activities even if the CRS support stopped in some areas. He pointed out that the agency is not leaving Lakes State.
For her part, Lakes State Gender, Child, and Social Welfare Minister Angelina Mario said they visited and interacted with the women being supported by CRS in Akot and Aluakluak.
“What we have seen today [Thursday] is a good achievement and a step for women towards development and self-reliance in Lakes State,” she stated. “Some women are engaged in agriculture and others in services such as restaurants.”
Meanwhile, State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Director General Matur Chol Marial commended the donors from Global Affairs Canada and CRS for the visit.
“I am here as a co-chair of the steering committee in the State together with the Ministry of Gender and the RRC and the Ministry of Peace Building,” he said. “We went to one site and saw that there is progress. They managed to harvest the short-term varieties.”
For her part, Amuong Maker, a project beneficiary, said they received an ox plough and seeds last year and had cultivated 150 feddans of land. She disclosed that they sold the produce and bought ox plough bulls that increased their production capacity from 150 to 250 feddans.
Aluakluak Payam Paramount Chief Malak Alony Malak said CRS had done many good things, which impressed the entire community.
“CRS has also trained and employed women to open restaurants, and these women are now rich,” he revealed. “They have resources and have added other women to their work, and this has created peaceful coexistence between the women.”
Malak appealed for the inclusion of Paloc and Ger payams in the project going forward.