Promoting food sovereignty in South Sudan

Background information

The violent clashes that have plagued South Sudan since the end of 2013 are exacerbating the security and supply situation for the population. How can people, especially in rural areas, secure their livelihoods and ensure basic medical care? As a partner organization of Mission 21, the Presbyterian Relief and Development Agency (PRDA) is working closely with the affected communities on these questions in order to jointly develop sustainable solutions. In Pochalla, near the Ethiopian border, PRDA, with the support of Mission 21, is working closely with local communities on a large-scale integrated rural development project. The aim is to sustainably improve health and nutritional conditions. The practical experience and knowledge of the families are incorporated into the design of the project so that measures can be developed together to enable them to generate an improved household income.

Project goals

The project aims to improve the living standards of the population in the Pochalla district.

• Improved food security
• Daily provision of a hot meal in Pochalla's schools
• Storage options for agricultural surpluses
• Knowledge transfer in the fields of hygiene, agriculture and nutrition
• Improved health of residents

Target group

The project supports around 1,000 households in Pochalla in their livelihoods and food security. In addition to individuals, the target group includes farming groups and farming families. Particular emphasis is placed on the needs of women and children, especially schoolchildren.

Activities

• Training of local staff
• Training of contact farmers. These are trained in improved agricultural methods and participatory approaches and pass on their knowledge.
• Strengthening peer-to-peer exchange
• Organic farming
• Issuance of seeds, equipment and tools
• Distribution of menstrual pads at school to menstruating pupils
• School nutrition program
• Creation of storage facilities to preserve surplus harvests

Project progress

In 2025, the Pochalla Project of the Presbyterian Relief and Development Agency (PRDA) brought about significant positive changes. By promoting an agroecological farming system, progress was made toward various goals. Gender inequality in land ownership within marginalized farming communities was reduced, as women living in poverty gained access to their own plots of land. Greenhouse gas emissions were reduced, while biodiversity and soil health were enhanced, thereby improving overall climate resilience. As a result, farmers were able to improve their food security and generate more income.

Significant improvements have been achieved in the areas of water supply, sanitation, and hygiene («WASH»). Numerous communities have largely abandoned practices that pose a health risk. Thanks to training and awareness-raising programs, the consumption of untreated water, the open dumping of waste, and the use of uncovered latrines—particularly around community buildings—have declined significantly. A clear sign of the improved health of these communities is the fact that no cases of diarrhea or cholera had been reported by the end of 2025.

The school meal program was particularly successful. Enrollment numbers increased in 2025, nearly doubling for girls—from 100 to 190—and rising from 150 to 237 for boys. In total, 427 students were enrolled last year*...take advantage of the meal program. The improved nutrition among the students—thanks in part to the proceeds from the more professional management of a fish pond—had tangible results: They reported feeling better both personally and within their social circles. They were more motivated to learn, which was reflected in a significant drop in the dropout rate of about 70 percent during the reporting year. The more motivated students also increased teachers’ job satisfaction, which in turn had a positive impact on the quality of education. The positive results of the school meal program also present a challenge, as significantly more donations are needed to further expand this program and provide even more students—especially girls—with access to education.