100 Farmers Embrace Digital Smart Farming to Transform Agriculture

By Awan Achiek

The Wise Consultant firm has launched an initiative to train 100 local farmers in digital smart farming, aiming to enhance food production and transform agricultural practices.

The firm specializes in capacity building for sustainable agriculture, business development consulting, and cybersecurity awareness training.

Richard Mawa Michael, Chief Executive Officer of the Wise Consult Initiative, announced that in 2025, the firm trained approximately 100 individuals in sustainable agriculture to improve food production.

“The country must prioritize agriculture to enhance livelihoods, especially in light of the current economic downturn that calls for local intervention,” Mawa emphasized.

He explained that the initiative aims to equip locals with the skills to grow their own food, reducing reliance on food imports from neighboring countries.

“Our focus is on sustainable agriculture and business development, teaching individuals how to manage enterprises and establish businesses,” he said.

Mawa highlighted the goal of transitioning from traditional farming to digital agriculture by providing farmers with the necessary skills to adopt digital solutions.

“In agriculture, we are keen on transitioning to digital methods, which can greatly benefit households when used effectively,” he noted.

The training also addresses climate-smart agriculture, acknowledging the numerous challenges faced in South Sudan, such as flooding and heat waves.

Mawa stated that educating farmers about climate-smart practices can significantly improve their livelihoods.

“Heavy rains can drastically affect various agricultural aspects. When we implement climate-smart strategies, we see positive community responses,” he said.

The ultimate goal is to empower individuals to earn a living and generate income through the knowledge gained from the training.

“For instance, someone might start a nursery bed to sell seedlings or produce onions. It’s encouraging to witness such initiatives,” he remarked.

In addition to agricultural training, the firm offers business development training, including support for organizations, proposal writing, and evaluations.

Mawa expressed their commitment to training young people in business skills to combat unemployment and promote entrepreneurship.

“There are numerous opportunities for youth in business when they gain the right knowledge,” he said.

He emphasized that aspiring entrepreneurs do not need substantial capital to begin pursuing their business ideas.

“Training on developing a social impact strategy, crafting proposals, and generating ideas is essential. These elements motivate us,” he stated.

After completing the training, young participants receive funding to launch their businesses, promoting self-reliance.

“We believe that by empowering locals and youth with knowledge and funding, they can invest in their communities and start their own businesses,” he explained.

Additionally, the firm offers training on cybersecurity, addressing the risks to personal and organizational data while teaching best practices for protection against cyber threats.

The rapid digital transformation in the country presents significant socio-economic opportunities but also exposes critical vulnerabilities.

“Cybersecurity is crucial as many activities occur online. If we don’t inform the community about fake pages, they may unknowingly engage with fraudulent content,” he warned.

He pointed out that scammers often exploit the economy in South Sudan, creating fake social media pages to advertise non-existent job opportunities or scholarships.

Looking ahead, Mawa mentioned plans to establish a demonstration site within five years for practical agricultural training.

“We aim to create a versatile demonstration site for research opportunities for students, with some companies potentially interested in real projects. The costs for utilizing this site will be kept low,” he shared.

“Our goal is to train a total of 2,500 beneficiaries in both business development and agriculture over the next five years, while continuing awareness efforts through radio and newspapers.”