Government, UN Partners Advocate for Increased Food Production in Western Equatoria

By Simon Deng

Farmers in Western Equatoria State are being urged to boost agricultural production as the government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), intensifies efforts to enhance food security and improve household incomes through rural development initiatives.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, has been actively encouraging farmers to increase production at the subnational level.

Yona Robert Mark, Western Equatoria State’s Minister of Cooperatives, stated that the government and its partners are pushing farmers to enhance food production.

“The Rural Enterprises for Agricultural Development project is designed to enhance food security and increase income levels in Western Equatoria State,” Mark explained during a visit by representatives from the United Nations Development Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

He added, “Western Equatoria State has the potential to produce food for consumption. This visit reaffirms the importance of strong partnerships and local ownership in driving sustainable development.”

Recently, the South Sudan National Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security undertook a joint field supervision mission with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to Yambio and Aweil for the Rural Enterprises for Agricultural Development Project.

During their visit, representatives from the government and partners met with beneficiaries, including Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), and Rural Producer Organizations (RPOs), all seeking to grow, create jobs, and contribute to the local economy.

Nagomoro Bridget Philimon,the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Environment, highlighted that the project aims to empower rural producers at the subnational level across the country.

“This type of project is intended to empower producers, women, and young people. As a government,we reiterate our commitment to such partnerships and will work diligently to achieve the project’s objectives,” Philimon affirmed.

Sheila Ngatia, the Deputy Country Resident Representative for the United Nations Development Programme, emphasized that the project seeks to drive economic transformation nationwide.

“Agriculture is crucial; it will drive economic transformation,create employment,open opportunities for rural economies, and increase incomes for rural producers,” Ngatia stated.

Caroline Mwongera,the Country Director for the International Fund for Agricultural Development, noted that the project aims to boost agricultural production and improve livelihoods for rural communities.

“We want to improve food security,increase income levels, and enhance resilience among targeted households,empowering rural producers, village savings and loan associations, and credit cooperatives,” Mwongera explained.

The project, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD),implemented by the United Nations Development Programme and Cooperative Bank, aims to strengthen rural livelihoods, agricultural production, rural finance and enterprises, and cooperative development while contributing to food security, employment, and resilience in South Sudan.