Food sovereignty in rural areas in South Sudan.

Background information

The violent conflicts that have plagued South Sudan since late 2013 are exacerbating the security and supply situation for the population. What are the people, especially in rural areas, supposed to live on? How can basic medical care be ensured? These are questions that the Presbyterian Relief and Development Agency (PRDA), a partner organization of Mission 21, has been addressing for many years. In Pochalla, near the Ethiopian border, the PRDA, with the support of Mission 21, is running a large integrated rural development project to provide health and nutrition for the population in the region and to help families improve their household incomes. Food sovereignty is addressed holistically through interventions in agriculture and education, as well as access to water and sanitation.

Project goals

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

Subgoals:

• Improved food security
• Knowledge transfer in the fields of hygiene, agriculture and nutrition
• Improved health of the residents

Target group

The project supports approximately 1,000 households in Pochalla in their livelihood and food sovereignty. In addition to individuals, the target group also includes farmers' groups and farming families. Special emphasis is placed on the needs of women and children.

Activities

• Training of local staff
• Training of contact farmers. These are trained in improved agricultural methods and participatory approaches and pass on their knowledge.
• Organic farming
• Issuance of seeds, equipment and tools
• Construction of protective devices around wells
• Construction of toilets and washing facilities
• Establishment of a school nutrition program

Project progress

Extensive know-how in agricultural cultivation methods has already been imparted over the past eight years. In the current project phase, the focus is on ecological and sustainable work. The farmers now produce their own organic fertilizer and produce 50 percent of their own seeds. In 2021, a storage room was built where seeds and harvests can be professionally stored. There is a kitchen right next door, and in 2022 the school feeding program will begin its work. Since then, 100 primary school children have received a hot meal every day. This is to be increased in the coming years.

In recent years, Pochalla has been repeatedly affected by locust infestations and flooding. Climate change is very noticeable in this region, which is why prevention will become more of a focus in the coming years.