The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in South Sudan has handed over new agricultural and fisheries facilities to communities in Nimule Municipality, Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria State. This move aims to enhance local production and trade by providing essential infrastructure. The facilities include a Multipurpose Community Farmers’ Centre at Olikwi, a fish shade and selling area at Loa in Pageri Payam, and a cold chain facility at Nimule Market.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, these investments will improve farmers’ access to agricultural advice, support fish handling and storage, reduce losses, and expand opportunities for local production and trade. The ministry believes that this will have a positive impact on the local economy and help farmers earn more. The facilities are part of a larger project to strengthen farmer organisations, improve production, and build climate resilience.
Evans Kenyi, Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, encouraged communities to use the facilities productively and manage them responsibly to sustain their benefits. He stated that the infrastructure and assets handed over are investments to improve farming practices and can act as a springboard to wider development. Kenyi added that when farmers and fishers organise production, protect quality, and reach buyers reliably, they are better placed to earn from their work.
The Olikwi farmers’ centre will host training, demonstrations, and farmer meetings, with county agriculture staff providing guidance on planting, crop care, harvesting, storage, and marketing. This will enable farmers to make informed decisions and improve their farming practices. The centre will also serve as a hub for knowledge sharing and capacity building.
The Loa fish selling facility and Nimule Market cold chain facility will improve fish handling, preservation, and sales. The facilities will be supported by regular cleaning, careful product handling, equipment maintenance, and clear operating rules. This will help reduce losses and improve the quality of fish sold in the market. Tabule Noah, RALP Project Manager, stressed that the facilities must remain active and responsive to producers’ needs.
The Rural Agricultural Livelihoods Programme (RALP) is a government of South Sudan project led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, with implementation support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). The project provides training, inputs, and productive infrastructure to strengthen farmer organisations, improve production, and build climate resilience. RALP's financing covers 13 counties in seven states.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security thanked the World Bank, FAO, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, local authorities, implementing partners, and beneficiary communities for their contributions. The ministry called for continued cooperation to ensure that the facilities remain functional, help families earn more, and strengthen the local rural economy. The handover of these facilities marks a significant step towards improving agricultural productivity and food security in South Sudan.
Key points
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security hands over new facilities to communities in Nimule Municipality to improve farmers' access to advice and support fish handling.
- The facilities are part of a larger project to strengthen farmer organisations, improve production, and build climate resilience.
- The project is financed by the World Bank and implemented with support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
