IBSA Fund Supports South Sudanese Farmers

(Juba) – South Sudan’s Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) South Sudan, successfully held joint sessions for the Project Steering Committee and the Local Project Appraisal Committee. These meetings are part of the ongoing efforts under the “Empowering Women and Youth to Drive Sustainable Agriculture in South Sudan” initiative.

The discussions brought together key stakeholders from several national and state-level institutions. Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the State Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment in Central Equatoria State, the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in South Sudan, the South Sudan National Youth Union (Central Equatoria State), the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, and Oxfam in South Sudan. They assessed the progress made so far, examined how the project is being implemented, and discussed how to ensure its long-term sustainability and broader impact.

The project aims to strengthen South Sudan’s food security and economic resilience by supporting women and young people to become active players in agriculture. It focuses on introducing irrigation and water management systems, delivering quality seeds and farming inputs, enhancing agricultural extension services, and improving access to financial resources and markets.

These components are designed to not only boost productivity but also create opportunities for self-reliance and community development. The initiative represents a shift towards more inclusive agricultural development, ensuring that women and youth—groups often excluded from key economic sectors—are placed at the center of South Sudan’s recovery and growth.

This program is being supported through the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) Fund, with contributions from the governments of South Africa, Brazil, and India. The IBSA Fund is recognized for promoting South-South cooperation and mutual development among countries of the Global South.