Save the Children takes lead in an agricultural products exhibition in Eastern Equatoria State.

Farmers supported by Save the Children display their agricultural  products in Torit during the exhibition. Photo: Save the Children  

Torit, Eastern Equatoria State - Save the Children joined the rest of partners in a three-day agricultural product exhibition to mark the World Food Day in October under the theme: “Water is Life, Water is Food and Leave No one Behind”. The exhibition ends today, Thursday, November 2, 2023 in Torit.

The 2023 World Food Day celebration in South Sudan was followed by agricultural show where farmers showcased their products, demonstrated new innovations and products from the farm. The exhibition was used as a learning ground for other individual farmers to link farmers products to the market.

Farmers’ groups from Magwi Budi and Torit counties participated in the exhibition. Farmers’ exhibition supported by Save the Children drew attention of government officials, UN Agencies and other partners, calling for more support to  farmers in the country.

Through funding from BMZ, Save the Children’s supported agro-pastoralists including vegetables farmers from Magwi, Budi and Torit counties  to  showcase their farm products.

Among those who attended the exhibition are the national Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, National Minister of Animals and Fisheries, the Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Head of FAO Representative in South Sudan, Eastern Equatoria State, Ministry of Agriculture , Director Generals of various state line Ministries, County Commissioners from Magwi , Ikotos, Budi, Lafon and Greater Kapoeta counties, UN representatives from  WFP, UNMISS, International NGOS and National NGOS.  Private and individual companies also attended the exhibition.

The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong Lojore, inspects products of farmers supported by Save the Children with funding from BMZ. Photo: Save the Children

Farmers supported by Save the Children exhibited; dry fish, fruits, tree seedlings, sugar cane, preserved cowpeas leaves, vegetables like eggs plants, red paper, tomatoes, onions, watermelon, orange, lemon, banana and brother heart. Field crops include; maize, beans, cowpeas, millet, sorghum and processed goods include; peanut oil and olive oil.

Achayo, 42, is one of the female progressive farmers. Before, she uses hand hoe with little agricultural outputs. Through the support of Save the Children, Achayo now has more than 8 acres of farms to increase her production.

“It’s my first time ever to participate in such event of exhibition that enabled me to expose my farm products to diverse buyers and link my products to the market. I have almost all the farm products to improve my livelihood”, said Achayo.

Achayo has exchanged contacts with potential buyers who are willing to visit her store in Magwi county.

Save the children is implementing a food security and livelihood project providing Support to the livelihood’s Recovery, Reintegration and Resilience of conflict-affected IDPs, Returnees and Host communities in Eastern Equatoria (BMZ). The project has reached to least 13000 households and 760 youths with food security, livelihood and cash-based intervention to build their resilience. The project has ensured at least 15% of the target population are people with disability to economical empower them, build resilience through their participation in programs.