Twelve new farmers’ training plots opened in South Sudan

Soon after the opening of our Food Security and Livelihoods Project in the Kapoeta region of South Sudan last year, Farm Africa conducted a survey of the area. We found that sorghum was by far the most commonly planted crop in the area due to a lack of alternative seeds. To counter the risk of farmers going hungry in the event of poor sorghum harvests, Farm Africa is providing farmers in Kapoeta with a wide range of new seed varieties from Uganda which would otherwise be unavailable in South Sudan.

To enable farmers to trial these new seed varieties, Farm Africa is establishing new demonstration plots across Kapoeta. So far twelve such plots have been successfully established and we plan to open four more by early 2012.  Farmers using the plots are currently focusing on growing sufficient food for their households. But it is hoped that surpluses from the Kapoeta plots will soon be sold in local markets at Juba, Torit or even Lokichokio in Kenya as a means of generating additional income.

Case-study: Farm Africa’s demonstration plot at Moruangilimo

Fifteen farmers are working on FarmAfrica’s plot in Moruangilimo. Before the plot was established these farmers struggled to find seeds for cultivation. They were also hampered by a serious lack of tools and had only basic sticks for preparing the land prior to planting. But now, thanks to Farm Africa’s work in the area, they are using pangas, axes, hoes and rakes. One member of the group has even received an ox and plough from Farm Africa and is receiving training in modern ploughing techniques.

The farmers are using their new plots to experiment with red sorghum, sesame, okra, cowpeas, tomatoes, groundnuts, maize and watermelon. These seed varieties have been provided by Farm Africa.

Farm Africa is also training the farmers at its Moruangilimo plot in new techniques designed to maximise crop yields. Previously the farmers simply used the same techniques handed down from their ancestors to cultivate their crops. But now the farmers are learning innovative new techniques, such as planting in rows to enable more effective weeding.

As long as the rains come, the farmers hope to produce a surplus which they can sell in Kapoeta town. Okra, one of the new crops being trialled at the plot, fetches the best price due to its versatility: it can be eaten fresh, dried or ground to a fine powder.

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