Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The government of South Sudan announced on Friday that it is focusing on a comprehensive agricultural master plan and the development of irrigation systems to improve food security.
Speaking during signing ceremony in Juba on Friday, Evans Kenyi, Technical Advisor of Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said the project will support about 162,000 beneficiaries.
“The project places rural producer groups and cooperatives at the centre of development, empowering households to become productive, resilient, and market-oriented. This project will support about 162,000 beneficiaries,” Kenyi said.
Kenyi signed a multi-year work plan with UNDP and the Cooperative Bank of South Sudan to carry out the second component of the Rural Enterprise for Agricultural Development project.
He stated that the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, is supporting the development of cooperatives, which are central strategy for agricultural transformation.
Kenyi added that the introduction of the second component of the project is a significant milestone in empowering youth and women, noting that when youth and women thrive, families and communities flourish.
“The READ project also prioritises women, who make up 50% of the population, youth, who constitute 70%, and vulnerable groups, positioning them as drivers of food systems, entrepreneurship, and peace-building,” said Kenyi.
For her part, Caroline Mwongera, the country director for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in South Sudan, noted that the rural agriculture project will improve food security and enhance resilience.
“The READ project is co-financed by a grant supervised by IFAD of about 20 million dollars. The co-finance from the government is valued at 1.4 million dollars, the Cooperative Bank of South Sudan is contributing 1.8 million dollars, UNDP is also investing 1.4 million dollars, and the community is providing 0.7 million dollars,” said Mwongera.
“We also believe that improving access to rural finance and enabling farmers and entrepreneurs to invest in production processes and market activities will support not only the development of the rural sector but also catalyse private sector development in South Sudan,” she said.
Meanwhile, Elijah Wamalwa, the Managing Director of the Cooperative Bank of South Sudan, stated that the overall objective of the project is to build sustainable long-term access to rural finance services and enhance capacity to meet essential needs.
“The READ project seeks to improve food security, income, and resilience among the targeted rural households. This will be achieved through empowering grassroots communities, including rural producers and rural finance institutions,” said Wamalwa.
Ligane Sene, the Acting Deputy Resident Representative and Senior Economist for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), remarked that the project will enable the country to address economic challenges.
“I think this is really a good opportunity for us to see how we can maximise the potential of agriculture in the country. Of course, we might need to address the economic challenges here in South Sudan,” said Sene.
The government, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Cooperative Bank of South Sudan (CBSS), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), announced on Friday the start of the second component of the Rural Enterprise Agricultural Development project.
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