University of Juba Shares Research Findings With Yei County Farmers

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – A stakeholders meeting on strengthening local seed systems and agricultural resilience has been held in Yei River County, convened by the University of Juba through its Holistic Agriculture-Fisheries Resilience for Value Chain Empowerment and Sustainable Transformation Project, known as HARVEST.

The meeting took place on Monday at the CTC Main Hall in Yei.

It brought together county policymakers, representatives of non-governmental organisations working in food security and livelihoods, private sector actors and farmer representatives.

Participants reviewed findings from ongoing agricultural research and explored practical approaches to improving seed production and distribution in the county.

Organisers said the forum provided an opportunity to share research findings and farmers’ experiences.

It also allowed participants to jointly identify pathways towards establishing a resilient and sustainable seed system capable of supporting agricultural productivity and food security in the region.

Participants exchanged knowledge on challenges affecting the agricultural sector.

They also explored opportunities for collaboration aimed at strengthening evidence-based interventions and promoting sustainable farming practices across Yei River County.

The initiative forms part of the HARVEST Project’s broader objective of enhancing resilience within agriculture and fisheries value chains.

It also seeks to empower farming communities through research-driven solutions and sustainable development strategies.

Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Dr. Tony Ngalamu stressed the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in addressing agricultural challenges and improving livelihoods for farming communities across South Sudan.

The Acting Commissioner for Agriculture in Yei River County, Asiki Moses, noted that the research document had been developed at project level.

He appealed to the University of Juba to share the findings with local authorities for integration into county agricultural policies.

He encouraged farmers to translate the knowledge gained during the engagement into practice, describing it as essential for improving agricultural production and supporting local communities.

Rose Doru Simbe called on the government to expand support for farmers at the grassroots level to stimulate agricultural development and improve livelihoods.

She welcomed the efforts of the Government of South Sudan to develop policies aimed at supporting farmers and increasing agricultural production across the country.

She further noted the importance of improving coffee production in Yei, saying increased investment in the sector could boost farmers’ incomes and create opportunities for greater participation of young people in agriculture.

The Deputy Executive Director of Yei River County, Isaac Peter Zakayo, commended farmers for participating in training on seed storage techniques.

He noted that proper storage methods would help preserve seeds for longer periods and improve future harvests.

Zakayo also observed that the soil conditions in Yei differ from those in other parts of the country.

He stressed the importance of promoting locally adapted seed varieties suited to the county’s agricultural environment.

He further called for increased training opportunities for members of cooperative societies to strengthen their technical knowledge and improve agricultural productivity.

The training attracted more than 50 participants drawn from various cooperative groups operating in Yei River County.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Yei River County, Samuel Henry Malimbo, commended researchers from the University of Juba for promoting the use of locally preserved seeds.

He argued that imported seed varieties often fail to germinate effectively under local conditions.

Malimbo called for stronger cooperation among development partners, government institutions and local communities to improve livelihoods and strengthen food security across the county.