Three Day Sustainable Fish Workshop Held in Abyei

(ABYEI) – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has conducted a three day training session in Abyei focused on fish post harvest handling and processing, in partnership with Abyei Community Action for Development and with funding from the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

The training, which took place in late July, aimed to equip local community members with knowledge and skills to properly preserve, process and market fish, as part of a wider initiative to strengthen food diversity, promote sustainable practices and support income generation in the Abyei Administrative Area.

FAO South Sudan stated that the sessions were designed to improve post harvest fish quality, minimise waste and provide better value for local fisherfolk.

The training covered practical methods for fish drying, smoking, storage and hygienic handling techniques that can enhance shelf life and reduce food loss.

Participants included men and women from various communities, many of whom rely on fishing for both subsistence and trade. The project is part of broader efforts to increase resilience among rural households by diversifying livelihoods and ensuring communities can benefit more from natural resources available in their local environment.

Typical fish handling and preservation kits used in such projects usually include basic smoking racks, drying nets, storage containers and training materials.

The FAO emphasised that the project goes beyond immediate food needs by promoting long lasting practices that contribute to local economies and food security. Sustainable fish processing not only creates new income streams but also complements ongoing agricultural and livestock support programmes in the region.

Local community leaders and participants welcomed the training, noting that it would help reduce post catch losses, improve nutrition, and increase market access.

Some expressed hope that such initiatives would continue and expand, enabling more residents to improve their standard of living through practical skills and local resource use.