CES Cooperative Ministry to Distribute 250,000 Cocoa Seedlings to Farmers

(JUBA) – The Central Equatoria State Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development has announced plans to distribute more than 250,000 cocoa seedlings to cooperative societies and farmers across the state’s six counties as part of efforts to boost agricultural production and rural livelihoods.

Speaking in a statement extended to Access Radio over the weekend, the Minister of Cooperatives and Rural Development, Emmanuel Khamis Richard, said the initiative aims to promote rural transformation and support economic diversification through increased cocoa cultivation. He noted that the distribution marks the beginning of a pilot project under a broader programme targeting the production and distribution of five million cocoa seedlings across the state.

The minister further revealed that the ministry is preparing to expand a women-focused economic empowerment programme designed to support entrepreneurship and poverty reduction. According to Khamis, the Rural Women Economic Recovery and Poverty Alleviation Project will target 1,650 women entrepreneurs organized under 22 women’s groups across Central Equatoria State.

He said the project is expected to strengthen household incomes, improve food security and create sustainable economic opportunities for rural communities, particularly women, who play a crucial role in local agricultural production and cooperative development.