“We have saved up to Nine million South Sudanese Pounds from the sale of our vegetables. This would not be possible without the skills we received from CIDO and Oxfam on Village savings Loan.”

Peter Gatkuoth
Leader of Buore Group of farmers

Farmers in South Sudan mainly practice subsistence farming and rely largely on annual seasonal rainfall for agricultural work.

Despite the unreliable rainfall, a group of farmers in Akobo County of Jonglei state (Buore farmers) were able to mint 9million South Sudanese Pounds (about 2000USD) from the sale of their produce.  

The farmers have taken to the riverbanks ensure a steady flow of vegetables. They now plant crops such as Jute Mellon, Amaranthus, eggplants okra and others along the Akobo River. For these farmers, the constant supply of harvest also means a steady flow of income from daily sales. 

Peter Gatkuoth, a 64-year-old leader of Buore Group of farmers explained that farming as a group has enabled them to save and borrow more money than when they worked as individuals.

“We formed village Savings Loan and Association, and from our members we have different groups who go and sell our vegetables in the morning and others go in the evening. We divided the farm into different sections to enable us not to waste space within the garden. Some days we are able to get as much as SSP 200,000 (equivalent to 50USD) from the sales. As a group we sit and agreed the percentage to be shared and the rest goes to our Village Savings and Loan Association,” explains Gatkuoth.

Gatkuoth added that their group has now saved up to nine million South Sudanese pounds (equivalent to about 2000 USD) from the sale of vegetables.

“We have saved up to Nine million South Sudanese Pounds from the sale of our vegetables. This amount is just what we save apart from what we distribute among ourselves to support our families with other basic needs. This would not be possible without the skills we received from CIDO and Oxfam on Village savings Loan. Now our group is doing well, and we are happy.” he explained.

Oxfam staff Edema Denis interacting with the farmers as they harvest their vegtables

Oxfam staff Edema Denis interacting with the farmers as they harvest their vegetables

With support from Oxfam through the BMZ project, Community Initiative for Development Organization (CIDO) is supporting the farmers with seeds and other tools like fishing gears and canoes.

With increased needs in communities, funding to such resilience building activities is increasingly being welcomed especially following years of devastation from conflict and six consecutive floods that have impacted the country.

The BMZ project aims to build resilience in targeted crisis-affected communities by improving food security, income, and basic infrastructure as well as effective  management of risks and shocks. This will in turn foster inclusive and peaceful societies in Jonglei state (Akobo and Nyirol counties) and Lake state Wulu county.  The project has so far benefited 45,705 People, 21,938 male, 23,767 female and 2285 people living with disabilities.

Oxfam is leading the overall project implementation and coordination, explicitly implementing and engaging in the three outcomes (food security and livelihood, WASH & good governance). The partner is engaging in the food security & livelihood, and good governance outcomes.

South Sudan continues to suffer from climate induced challenges-like flooding and drought.

Over 70% of the country has been affected by floods for the past 6 consecutive years. This is aggravated by the economic crisis, ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan fueling hunger levels in majority of communities within South Sudan.