In Rajaf, South Sudan, a young farmer named John Ladu, also known as Amos, has transformed a $700 investment into an agricultural enterprise employing 10 workers. Ladu's business, Viable Aid Farms, aims to increase local food production and create employment opportunities for young people. He formally registered his farm in 2024, starting as a traditional farming venture. Ladu now cultivates 3.5 acres of land, growing fruit and vegetables while investing in equipment to support production.
Ladu's decision to venture into agriculture was driven by the potential of local production to strengthen the national economy and reduce dependence on imported food. He believes that South Sudan has the skills and power to produce its own food, rather than relying on imports. Ladu's farm currently employs 10 local workers, comprising eight men and two women, who assist with weeding and other farm activities, earning income and gaining practical experience in agriculture.
The farm has made significant progress, with Ladu expanding from 1.5 acres last year to 3.5 acres this year. He reported approximately $1,500 in sales from the initial investment, although the period covered by the sales and the farm's operating costs were not specified. Ladu has also acquired a water pump and basic irrigation equipment to support farming activities. His journey reflects the potential of small-scale agriculture to create livelihoods and contribute to South Sudan's efforts to strengthen domestic food production.
Despite the progress, Ladu faces several challenges that threaten the farm's expansion, including drought, limited access to finance, and a shortage of skilled agricultural workers. Delayed rainfall has affected farming activities, while insufficient capital has limited his ability to increase production and invest in modern agricultural technologies. Ladu hopes to address some of these constraints by introducing greenhouse farming and mechanized equipment to improve productivity and make the business more sustainable.
Ladu aims to develop Viable Aid Farms into a model agricultural enterprise employing more than 20 people within the next five years. He plans to expand production, introduce modern farming methods, and create more employment opportunities for young people. To achieve this, he calls on government institutions, private-sector actors, and international organizations to establish practical partnerships with local farmers to improve access to financing, skills development, and agricultural technology.
For the people employed at Viable Aid Farms, the benefits of agriculture extend beyond food production to meeting essential household needs. Santino Ladu, one of the farm's employees, said his work provides income that helps him support his family, particularly by paying school fees and covering medical expenses for his children. John Marcelo, another employee, encouraged South Sudanese to embrace agriculture as a way of increasing food production and addressing hunger.
As South Sudan seeks to increase domestic food production and reduce reliance on imports, farmers such as Ladu are looking to agriculture not only as a means of earning a living but also as a business capable of supporting workers, strengthening local markets, and creating opportunities for the next generation. Ladu's experience demonstrates how a modest initial investment can help establish an agricultural enterprise, although access to capital, reliable rainfall, irrigation, and skilled labor remain important factors in determining how far the business can grow.
Key points
- John Ladu's agricultural business, Viable Aid Farms, has created 10 jobs and increased local food production in Rajaf, South Sudan.
- Ladu faces challenges such as drought, limited access to finance, and a shortage of skilled agricultural workers, but aims to expand production and create more employment opportunities.
- The farm's success highlights the potential of small-scale agriculture to create livelihoods and contribute to South Sudan's efforts to strengthen domestic food production.
