South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
Traversing around Juba with a wheelbarrow carrying commodities for sale wasn’t seen much as a tick for a woman in South Sudan’s capital Juba but this is how Rose Tabu began elevating herself in the business world.
A hard hitting economy meant jobs once put aside for men are now being taken up by women who want to earn a living in the capital Juba. They are now more into moving around the capital seeking for buyers of their commodities which range from groceries to other basics like salt, soap, cooking oil and even sodas and water.
For Tabu, that journey in the baking sun of Juba, through sweltering sweat or heavy rains on some days are a testament to her resilience and entrepreneurial spirit and which has seen her hit the road to economic development.
Now flanked by like-minded business people, Tabu leads a flourishing business cooperative which teems with agriculture products sold at low cost for consumers in Juba.
Her story is that of resilience manifested through a humble gesture which has turned into a joint venture that signals hope in economic development for the community around her.
“I learned to listen to my customers,” Tabu told The Dawn in an interview. “They taught me what they wanted and needed. It was my way of understanding the market.”
And it truly paid off, with dedication and hard work, sales grew, and all along, Tabu kept reinvesting her profits.
It is a story that began in 2014, shortly after conflict broke out in South Sudan. With limited resources and a strong desire to support her family, she bought a second-hand wheelbarrow and filled it with vegetables sourced from local farmers. Every morning, she would navigate the crowded streets of Juba, selling her goods and engaging with customers, and by and by building a loyal clientele.
Just like her, there is a case of the story of resilience of Yuan Longping , an agricultural scientist and expert who has filled a huge gap in food availability globally with his hybrid rice.
Yuan’s story of resilience started with a discovery one day while working on a rice garden.
One day in 1961, Yuan, while in the experimental field discovered a tall rice plant with large ears. Excitedly, he collected the seeds, and planted them in the following year. The offspring were however irregular, with none as good as the original single plant.
Yuan did not shrink back from difficulties. Through numerous unsuccessful tests, Yuan made new discoveries and proposed the idea of “hybridizing wild rice and cultivated rice.” In 1973, Yuan realized his dream: he cultivated the first hybrid rice in the world, called “three-line hybrid rice,” and managed to increase the production of the grain from 4,500 kg per hectare to more than 7,500 kg. This scientific fruit gave the Chinese the hope of getting rid of hunger completely. That was a story of resilience from Yuan that not only china but the world now benefits greatly from.
That for Tabu is an inspirational story too, also natured by her resilience that when emulated, can spur the development of an economic powerhouse that South Sudan can be in peace and unity, while not leaving anyone behind.
Again, as business picked up, Tabu realized a potential in lifting others and joining forces with them.
She began collaborating with fellow vendors and farmers, pooling resources and knowledge and by 2020, inspired by the idea of collective empowerment, Tabu founded the “Food for All” cooperative. This initiative aims not only at providing fresh and affordable food to the community but also providing support to local farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture.
With a huge gap in the economy created by a drastic drop in oil production South Sudan is seeking economic empowerment by first promoting agriculture production among others. The country boost of one of the richest arable land in Sub-Sahara Africa with the biggest water catchment called the Sudd Wetlands which can nourish soil the whole year round.
An implementation of peace in the country also means people can now access farmlands in the countryside to engage in agriculture.
Tabu already knows that with local production, especially of food commodities like those she sells, South Sudanese can unite for a common economic growth. “Food is a unifier,” Tabu said. “It brings people together, and when we work as a team, we can achieve more.”
The cooperative she leads has attracted dozens of members, creating a network that is strengthening local food systems and providing training in business management and agricultural practices.
Tabu’s journey was not without its challenges though. Economic instability, climate change, and logistical issues often threatened the cooperative’s progress. However, her resilience shone through. She organized workshops on financial literacy and sustainability, empowering members to adapt to changing conditions.
Their adaptability not only ensured the survival of the cooperative but also positioned it as a model for others in the region.
“We learned to be innovative,” she said.
“When there were droughts, we sought new farming techniques. When prices fluctuated, we diversified our products.”
Today, “Food for All” is more than just a cooperative; it’s a community hub that fosters collaboration and resilience. Members benefit from shared resources, and the cooperative has established direct supply chains that ensure fresh produce reaches local markets at fair prices.
Tabu’s story is one of determination, community engagement and vision. From pushing a wheelbarrow through the streets of Juba to leading a cooperative that champions local agriculture, her journey embodies the power of entrepreneurship to transform lives. As “Food for All” continues to grow, so does her impact, inspiring countless others to dream big and work together for a better future.
Tabu envisions expanding the cooperative’s reach, advocating for policies that support small-scale farmers, and promoting food security in South Sudan.
“My dream is for every family to have access to nutritious food,” she said. “If we can achieve that, we can build a stronger, healthier community.”
