South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
Action Girls Africa, with support from its partners, has distributed farming tools and seeds to communities in Gondokoro village of Mangalla Payam, Central Equatoria State, in an effort to enhance agricultural production and combat food insecurity.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Lydia Tabu, a representative of the organisation, stated that the initiative is part of a larger project aimed at strengthening livelihoods and promoting economic empowerment.
“We are implementing this project in three locations, primarily Rajaf and Gondokoro. So far, we have registered 25 farmers’ groups and reached 1,020 beneficiaries through the distribution of seeds and tools such as hoes, poles, and mulattos,” she explained.
Lydia noted that the distribution in Gondokoro alone benefited 420 farmers, while Rajaf accounted for the remainder. She added that the project followed assessments that identified farming groups most in need of support. “Our main focus is food security. By empowering farmers with the right tools, we believe they can improve productivity and reduce hunger,” she said.
Despite this intervention, local women leaders expressed that the community continues to face significant challenges.
Women representative Sarah Poni explained that most farmers still rely on traditional methods, which limit production.
“We are cultivating locally with hoes, and it is very hard for many to dig even one faden. We need organisations and the government to assist us with tractors and other agricultural tools,” she appealed.
Poni further stated that women and youth, who form the backbone of farming in Gondokoro, often walk long distances to their farms, labour for hours under the sun, yet harvest too little to sustain their families.
“Our land is very fertile, but without the right equipment, we cannot utilise it effectively. Even when we try our best, the harvest is too small to support our children in school or meet basic household needs,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, Gondokoro sub-chief Lino Lado welcomed the support, stating that the distribution would help strengthen food security. “This will boost farming in the village, but we still need more assistance,” he said.
