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EU proposal approved for South Sudan
The EU has approved a 1,23 million project aiming to increase agricultural production and storage through improved technologies. This three year project will be implemented in collaboration with ICCO in different communities in Western Bahr el Gazal. Over 12,000 vulnerable and food insecure people living in rural communities will benefit from this project.
What to harvest
Almost half of the population of South Sudan is food insecure. Western Bahr el Gazal is worst off with peaks of acute malnutrition above 30%. In order to change this the project will focus on introducing new techniques, such as ox ploughing, and drought resitant varieties. Diversification of crop production is also promoted. By encouraging vegetable production in kitchen gardens, the quality of nutrition will improve.
Higher profits
Currently farmers are dependent on opportunistic middleman when marketing their products. In addition, people consume the seeds for next season themselves because of current food insecurity. Households will be supported to build facilities from local materials so that the harvests can be stored for later consumption or be sold at a time when the prices on the market are higher. For that reason, the project will also facilitate information about prices, through mobile phones, radios and sign boards.
Collaboration
There will be close collaboration with Wau University and Wageningen University during the implementation of this project. Extension workers educated at Wau University will visit the villages and demonstrate the new techniques and support the households to start using these new techniques themselves. Wageningen University will be involved in capacity building of institutions in South Sudan and they will contribute to development of human capacity by establishing a research unit.
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| Friday, 6 July 2012 |
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