The GIZ Improved Living Conditions and Psychosocial Support (ILiPS) Project, in partnership with Magwi Freedom FM 93.0, successfully conducted two radio talk shows aimed at increasing community awareness on Good Agronomic Practices (GAPs) to improve agricultural productivity and household food security in Magwi County.
According to a GIZ press release extended to Radio Tamazuj, the live radio program brought together agricultural experts from Magwi County Agricultural Department, Magwi College of Agribusiness, and the project Expert to discuss practical farming methods that can help farmers increase yields while preserving soil fertility and protecting the environment.
Key topics covered during the discussion included land preparation and timely planting, proper spacing, improved seed varieties, weed management, pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling.
Speaking during the program, the ILiPS project advisor in Magwi County emphasized that radio remains one of the most effective channels for reaching rural farming communities with timely agricultural information.
“Through this radio platform, we can share simple but important farming practices that can help farmers improve production and strengthen food security at the household level,” the Advisor said.
Listeners from different payams in Magwi County actively participated in the program by calling in with questions and sharing their farming experiences. The interactive session allowed farmers to receive direct guidance from specialists on challenges affecting crop production in the area.
“In agriculturally productive counties like Yei and Magwi, information is an input just like seed. The radio talk shows ensured no farmer is left behind due to limitations in physical access. In Magwi, agriculture is the primary source of income to boost productivity and resilience,” the GIZ statement reads in part. “The (ILiPS) project employs a comprehensive, season-ready approach that combines distribution of quality seeds and tools (e.g., rakes, hoes, fork hoes, slashers), provision of hermetic storage bags to reduce post-harvest losses. This integrated support helps smallholder farmers make timely decisions, improve yields, and protect harvests, and the radio talk enhances knowledge on the topic.”
The radio talk show forms part of the GIZ- ILiPS Project’s broader effort to strengthen agricultural extension services and promote climate-smart farming practices among smallholder farmers across Magwi County.
“In addition, similar radio talk show series, including spot messages, will be rolled out early May 2026 in Yei River County, closely partnering with the County Agriculture Department and Spirit 99.9 FM Yei. Since its inception, the GIZ ILiPS project has collaborated with Spirit 99.9 FM (Yei) and Voice of Freedom FM 93.0 (Magwi), airing 19 radio talk shows on Good Agronomic Practices,” the statement said. “Each year, new cohorts of smallholder farmers benefit ahead of the planting season. In 2026, our Magwi County broadcasts reached an estimated 221,000 people. The ILiPS project is implemented by GIZ South Sudan on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).”
“The project supports returnees, internally displaced people, 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 to expand the educational opportunities available in the region,” the statement added.
The project also aims to strengthen access to psychosocial support services for community members and raise awareness on the importance of psychosocial well-being.
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