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Improved Food Security and Livelihood Development for Agro-pastoral Communities in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal and Warrap States

Project completed

In South Sudan, food insecurity and poverty are intrinsically linked to decades of civil conflict. About 52% of the population lives on less than 1 USD per day, and 47% is undernourished. Improving capacities of farmers and government to face such challenges is crucial. The main objective of this project is to increase the resilience (food security, livelihoods and income) of at least 7’000 households/50’000 people, and to improve community stability for vulnerable but economically active agro-pastoralists in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal and Warrap States.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
South Sudan
Agriculture & food security
Climate change and environment
Agricultural development
Agricultural policy
Environmental policy
01.09.2013 - 28.02.2018
 CHF  3’600’000
The project in brief
Background

Since the independence and relative but still very fragile peace in South Sudan, development is possible. However, food insecurity and poverty are closely linked to decades of civil conflict. Challenges are enormous: about 52% of the population lives on less than 1 USD/day (out of them, 92.5% live in rural areas), and 47% is undernourished. 4.7 million people are (1 million severely) food-insecure. Besides farming, livestock is a key productive and economic sector, however suffering from a high prevalence of animal diseases and lack of a veterinary delivery system. Despite the crucial role that women play for food security, gender disparities remain high. The State of Northern Bahr-el Ghazal (NBeG) has one of the worst crop agricultural productivity in the country. The Warrap State faces sustained level of conflict due to competition over access to natural resources. Both are composed of mainly agro-pastoralist communities and have a high population burden of refugees and IDPs. Federal and State Governments do not have adequate human, technical or organizational resources to provide support to the agriculture and livestock sector, including playing effective roles in mediating conflicts.
Objectives

To improve food and nutrition security in South Sudan.
Target groups

 

  • At least 7’000 households (approximately 50’000 people) of smallholder agro-pastoral households and communities in NBeG and Warrap States. Out of them, particularly women, youth and returnees.
  • Public institutions concerned with agriculture and rural development (State Ministries in the 2 selected States, National Ministry of Agriculture).
  • Locality/County Agricultural Offices, Area Agricultural Department and government extension workers.

    •  
    Medium-term outcomes

    To increase the resilience (improve food security, livelihoods and income) and to improve community stability for vulnerable but economically active agro-pastoralists in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal and Warrap States.
    Results

    Results from previous phases:  

     

  • Some of the Farmer Field Schools (FFS) supported are close to completion, farmers acquired the necessary skills and capacities.
  • There is a stronger community advocacy (now acting as groups, setting up priorities and having a better trading and bargaining power) and communication between FFS-supported communities, compared to non-supported ones.
  • The project has contributed to the establishment of a community-based institutional platform playing a role in managing, mediating and mitigation conflicts within NBeG and with neighbouring communities of Warrap.
  • The project is well known and supported by all tiers of governance.
  • According to the NBeG State Minister of Agriculture, thanks to this project and the WFP-supported ones, the level of malnutrition is decreasing and the level of food secure households is increasing in NBeG.

    •  
    Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
    Credit area Development cooperation
    Project partners Contract partner
    United Nations Organization (UNO)
    • Food and Agricultural Organisation
    • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)


    Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    3’600’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    3’569’195
    Project phases

    Phase 3 01.09.2013 - 28.02.2018   (Completed)

    Phase 2 01.09.2011 - 31.08.2013   (Completed)
    • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation AGRICULTURE
      AGRICULTURE
      GENERAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
      Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
      Agricultural policy and administrative management
      Agricultural development
      Agricultural policy and administrative management
      Environmental policy and administrative management
      Cross-cutting topics Conflict reduction
      Specific project on gender equality.
      The project takes account of democratisation, good governance and human rights as cross-cutting themes.
      The project supports partner organisation improvements as a priority
      Type of support Official development assistance (ODA)
      Type of collaboration Bilateral cooperation
      Finance type Aid grant
      Aid Type Project and programme contribution
      Tied/untied aid Untied aid
      Project number

      7F06909

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    Last update 26.09.2023