(AWEIL) – Two new multipurpose farmer centres, seed stores, and other modern agricultural facilities have been officially handed over to local authorities in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State in a move aimed at improving productivity, resilience and livelihoods for farmers.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) transferred the facilities to state and county governments during ceremonies held on 5 and 6 August 2025 in Aweil South and Aweil East counties.
The developments are part of the World Bank-funded Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods Project (RALP), implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with oversight from MAFS.
The new facilities include spacious multipurpose community farmer centres, demonstration plots, seed storage units and crop drying racks and slabs. The farmer centres are designed to act as agricultural learning hubs, offering space for meetings, workshops, and training on climate-smart farming practices.
Each centre is equipped with water yards for irrigation, secure fencing, and value addition machinery such as maize and sorghum threshers, groundnut shellers, mills and paste making machines. Farmers will be able to access the equipment for a small service fee. These tools are expected to help reduce post harvest losses and improve crop quality before market sale.
| Facility | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Multipurpose Farmer Centre | Training, meetings, workshops |
| Demonstration Plot | Hands on learning of farming techniques |
| Seed Store | Secure storage of improved seeds |
| Drying Racks and Slabs | Reduce crop spoilage after harvest |
| Value Addition Equipment | Processing crops for higher market value |
Speaking during the events, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Hon. Lily Akol praised the initiative as a major investment in the future of rural communities.
“These assets are a clear demonstration of our dedication to supporting farmers. With funding from the World Bank and implementation support from FAO, we are transforming agriculture into a more productive and resilient sector,” she said.
The RALP project began in June 2021 with an initial budget of 62.5 million US dollars (equivalent to about 287.5 billion SSP at the current official exchange rate.
In 2024, the budget was increased to 93 million US dollars (about 427.8 billion SSP) through additional financing. The project covers 13 counties across seven states, including Aweil East and Aweil South, and focuses on building the capacity of farmers and their organisations.
Local farmers welcomed the facilities, saying they would bring agricultural extension services closer to rural communities. They expect the new hubs to improve access to training in improved farming techniques and support market oriented production, which could increase household incomes and food security.
With the new resources in place, local authorities believe farmers will be better positioned to adapt to climate challenges, improve yields and reduce dependency on food imports.
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