The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), through GIZ South Sudan, earlier this week began distributing improved, high-quality vegetable, legume, and cereal seeds to more than 1,000 smallholder farmers in Yei and Magwi counties.
According to a Thursday press release from GIZ, as the second crop planting season draws near, the provision of certified seeds to rural communities remains an important ingredient to bolstering crop production and productivity.
“Planting early with quality seeds helps farmers to beat the overwhelming challenges of pests and diseases,” the statement said.
Speaking at one of the distribution events in Gimunu Boma in Central Equatoria State’s Yei Town Payam on Tuesday, GIZ South Sudan Agricultural Advisor Emmanuel Anur Towongo emphasized the importance of equipping the farmers with the right inputs.
“Access to quality seeds is the beginning of a successful harvest,” he stated. “By providing improved varieties, we are making a step toward increasing food production, improving livelihoods, and building a food-secure community.”
The farmers received a range of certified seeds suitable to the local context, with nutritional value and high yields, including maize, soya beans, green grams/monk beans, tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, and onions. In total, they will receive 10.6 MT of maize seeds, 4.6 MT of legume seeds, and 0.7 MT of vegetable seeds.
“The seeds are being distributed through the project ‘Improved Living Conditions and Psychosocial Support (ILiPS),’ implemented by GIZ as part of the German Development Cooperation in South Sudan,” the statement read. “It is the second batch of input provision to smallholder farmers in Yei and Magwi geared towards lessening the challenge of limited access to agricultural inputs and increasing production, with the goal to strengthen food security and food systems. Last month, the same 1,000 farmers received a total of 5,500 assorted farming tools like hoes, pangas, rakes, and axes.”
According to GIZ, to bridge the knowledge gap among rural farmers and increase information sharing, the distribution activities are being reinforced by ongoing live radio talk shows and spot messages on Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) in both locations.
“The ILiPS project supports returnees, internally displaced persons, and host communities in boosting their agricultural production to improve food security by providing tools, seeds, and training to farmers and cooperating with local training centers and schools to expand the educational opportunities available in the region,” GIZ’s statement said. “In addition, the project aims to strengthen access to psychosocial support services for community members and raise awareness on the importance of psychosocial well-being.”