The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on Thursday announced the donation of seeds, tools, and equipment to six organizations based in South Sudan that will distribute them to smallholder farmers and nascent micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises to improve food security and livelihoods.
According to a statement, the support through USAID’s Resilience through Agriculture in South Sudan Project will be distributed in Akobo, Budi, Jur River, Kapoeta North, and Wau counties.
“The materials valued at more than US$130,000 include seed varieties representing a diversity of crops to promote improved nutrition, agricultural tools and equipment, fishing equipment, fish cold storage, and supplies to support Village Savings and Loan Associations, all in support of farmers and local businesses,” the statement read.
USAID said political conflict, compounded by economic woes and floods, has caused massive displacement, violence, and dire food shortages in South Sudan.
“USAID can see clearly that many people are struggling with food security, especially in some of the most rural counties across South Sudan,” stated acting USAID Mission Director for South Sudan Darren Manning. “Our Resilience through Agriculture in South Sudan Project is working closely with other local partners and government structures to help not only deliver much-needed agriculture and livelihood supplies, but also training and best practices so that farmers can get more out of each harvest, community businesses can be set on a path to economic growth, and communities can recover faster from inevitable stressors such as floods, drought, and conflict.”
The statement said that the grantees will target agro-input sales agents, farmers, farmer organizations, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and fisheries and fisherfolk with activities ranging from last-mile distribution of agricultural products to fish preservation and production.
The grantees are The Christian Agency for Relieve and Development, Rural Women for Development South Sudan, Farm Stew South Sudan, Saint Monica Agency for Peace and Development, The Grassroots Relief and Development Agency, and The Hope Agency for Relief and Development.
The USAID Resilience through Agriculture in South Sudan Activity is a four-year project designed to improve food security and community household recovery and resilience in 13 target counties across five states.