South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Waure Eddy
Be it a poultry farm or a piggery, the profits are huge in South Sudan, where the potential is high, which helps in developing livelihood quality.
In many rural communities, groups are emerging with self-help initiatives, spurred by the peace that the transitional government of national unity has brought.
The Dawn herein examines some of these groups, which may not have had their initiatives featured in the media.
In the outskirts of Yambio in Western Equatoria State, the Ebenezer/Duduma General Trading Company and Lifesaving Group are two such groups that have taken up poultry farming and piggery as a means of revamping the financial capability of their members.
Both groups emphasize the importance of strengthening local livestock industries to ensure food security and economic stability for families.
The Dawn took time to walk through their livelihood-building initiatives. As they navigate challenges, their efforts highlight the crucial role of agriculture and local trading in South Sudan’s economy.
Their actions play crucial roles in encouraging individuals and communities to invest in self-sufficient food production and support local farmers striving for a sustainable future.
With peace in the country, they believe South Sudanese communities will further enjoy the rewards of homegrown livestock production and must swing into action on production.
Countries like China are developing because their people encourage peace, unity, and teamwork, and strive hard to improve themselves.
Chinese work culture is a tapestry woven with tradition and innovation, and harmony and teamwork are prized, with a deep respect for authority.
Established in 2023, Ebenezer/Duduma General Trading Company set out to reduce reliance on imported chicken by rearing both broilers and indigenous chicken.
Initially beginning with raising 150,000 birds, the group hit one million birds in only a year.
“This company is benefiting us a lot. The money we earn helps us send our children to school and provide for our families’ needs, including medical expenses,” Helen Bangbe, who is the executive director of the group, told The Dawn in an interview. “The company aims to make poultry farming more accessible by providing day-old chicks, feeds, and equipment to farmers,” she said. “We focus on helping small-scale poultry farmers by offering training and affordable resources.”
Group member Monica Nelson has reaped a lot from the project and is optimistic about her financial status. Currently, a broiler fetches 35,000 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) in the market while the indigenous chicken garners 55,000 South Sudanese Pounds. “Raising poultry independently has given us control over our production and income,” Nelson told The Dawn. “We no longer rely on external suppliers, and that has strengthened our community.”
Like her, Venasio Hipaingba is also positive that income will be enhanced in his household. “With improved livestock productivity, we can now meet market demands efficiently,” Hipaingba said. “Our chickens are healthier, and our profits have increased.”
Joyce Peter Naboro is another group member who is reaping from the poultry project. “By managing our poultry independently, we ensure quality and affordability for local consumers,” Naboro said. “It’s empowering to see our efforts directly benefit our community.”
Lifesaving group, founded just a year ago, is also another optimistic project for piggery. The group members plan to increase livestock productivity among the community they live in.
The project, in its early stage, has a dozen animals, but with prices of the pigs ranging between 500,000 SSP and 700,000 SSP, the members are confident in its ability to financially sustain them. “Since we started, the group has been doing well. Our livestock is benefiting us and our families,” its chairperson, Madeline Rejoice Gaza told The Dawn.
According to Gaza, best sustainable livestock farming methods must always balance productivity with environmental impact. “The group works on enhancing livestock productivity through better nutrition, health management, and farming techniques,” she said.
Farmers in the group are always accorded best practices for increasing livestock yield through research and data,” Gaza said. “Livestock productivity has transformed our group. We now have better breeding techniques, leading to higher yields and sustainable farming.”
