Germany supports 1,000 farmers to prepare for a better harvest with quality vegetable, legume, and cereal seeds

Press release

GIZ South Sudan on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) began to distribute improved, high-quality vegetable, legumes, and cereal seeds to more than 1,000 smallholder farmers in Yei and Magwi Counties. As the second crop planting season draws near, the provision of certified seeds to rural communities remains an important ingredient to bolstering crop production and productivity. Planting early with quality seeds helps farmers to beat the overwhelming challenges of pests and diseases. Speaking at one of the distribution events in Gimunu Boma, Yei Town Payam, on June 17, 2025, GIZ South Sudan Agricultural Advisor Emmanuel Anur Towongo emphasized the importance of equipping the farmers with the right inputs: “Access to quality seeds is the beginning of a successful harvest. By providing improved varieties, we are making a step toward increasing food production, improving livelihoods, and building a food secure community.”

The farmers received a range of certified seeds suitable to the local context, with nutritional value and high yields, including maize, soya beans, green grams/monk beans, tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, and onions. In total they will receive 10.6 MT of maize seeds, 4.6 MT legumes seeds and 0.7 MT of vegetable seeds.

The seeds are being distributed through the project “Improved Living Conditions and Psychosocial Support (ILiPS)”, implemented by GIZ as part of the German Development Cooperation in South Sudan. It is the second batch of input provision to smallholder farmers in Yei and Magwi geared towards lessening the challenge of limited access to agricultural inputs and increasing production, with the goal to strengthen food security and food systems. Last month, the same 1,000 farmers received a total of 5,500 assorted farming tools like hoes, pangas, rakes, and axes. To bridge the knowledge gap among rural farmers and increase information sharing, the distribution activities are being reinforced by on-going live radio talk shows and spot messages on Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) in both locations. The ILiPS project supports returnees, internally displaced persons, and host communities in boosting their agricultural production to improve food security by providing tools, seeds and trainings to farmers and cooperating with local training centres and schools to expand the educational opportunities available in the region. In addition, the project aims to strengthen access to psychosocial support services for community members and raise awareness on the importance of psychosocial well-being.

In South Sudan, GIZ works on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Germany provides humanitarian assistance and supports the long-term development of South Sudan, above all in the fields of local governance, rural development, sustainable agri-food systems, water and sanitation supply, peace and reconciliation, gender equality and SGBV prevention. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federal enterprise with worldwide operations. We support the German Government in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. We are also engaged in international education activities around the globe. Through our work we assist people and societies in shaping their own future and improving living conditions