Farmers in Kapoeta North County, Eastern Equatoria State, are praising a climate-resilient agriculture project that they said has significantly improved their harvests and bolstered efforts to combat hunger and adapt to climate change.
The Asset Creation and Livelihood Project, implemented by the UN World Food Program (WFP) in partnership with local organizations, introduced innovative techniques such as water harvesting methods to maximize limited rainfall. Among these methods are micro-catchment structures, like half-moons, tailored to the area’s conditions.
The project also focused on soil conservation practices to restore the land’s productivity. These included mulching, cover crops, the use of organic fertilizers, and crop diversification to enhance yields, improve dietary diversity, and offer new livelihood opportunities. Farmers were introduced to nitrogen-fixing and drought-resistant plant species, intercropping, and other sustainable techniques.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Maria Nanya, a female farmer from Namunichek Boma in Kapoeta North County, said: “This year’s harvest has greatly improved compared to previous years, and this has helped us fight hunger. In the past, we often went hungry, but now we have food on our tables,” Nanya said.
She added that the project had introduced new crops, such as cassava and cowpeas, which were not previously grown in the area, giving farmers additional tools in their fight against hunger. “Before, we only ate wild vegetables. Now we have more options,” she explained.
Nanya is committed to adopting the same technology in her garden for the upcoming planting season.
Racha Gloria, Project Officer for the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) and focal person for the WFP project, highlighted the significant improvement in land productivity. She noted that land previously abandoned due to poor soil was transformed, yielding around 0.7 tons of sorghum per feddan, compared to the less than 100 kilograms produced under traditional farming methods.
“The soil was eroded and lifeless, but with the agronomic best practices and water harvesting structures, we have revived it. The improvement is visible when you compare this soil with the surrounding land,” Gloria said.
She explained that the project had successfully combated erosion and helped conserve water, ensuring that it is used efficiently for crops. “The 36 half-moon structures on this farm help prevent erosion. Water is trapped and stored, providing a steady supply for crops,” Gloria added.
In the demonstration farm, modern farming practices, including line planting and mulching, were introduced—methods that had never been used locally. New crops, such as cassava and pigeon peas, were also introduced, along with more effective tools like hoes, replacing the traditional molodo.
Lobai Jonaso, a Project Management Committee member and beneficiary, reflected on the impact of the project. “With the new techniques, including the half-moon method, our harvests have improved. We now use modern hoes to dig deeper into the soil, which has made a significant difference in crop yield,” Jonaso said. “The new technology has allowed us to achieve much better harvests compared to before.”
Thiago Xavier, Head of the WFP Field Office in Greater Kapoeta, praised the half-moon technique, which is widely used in the Sahel and Central West Africa but had never been implemented in South Sudan. He noted that it has proven highly effective in areas suffering from erratic rainfall due to climate change.
“The Kapoeta region has been struggling with shifting rainfall patterns, and these techniques help harvest and store water, protecting crops from the effects of climate change. The project offers a critical emergency solution for regenerating the soil and supporting the community’s livelihoods,” Xavier explained.
The project aims to support local communities for three years, funded by the Korean government. Xavier emphasized that the goal is to build self-reliance and resilience to climate shocks. “By the end of the project, we expect the communities to have transitioned from vulnerability to self-sufficiency,” he said. “This approach is also being applied in schools and nutrition sites at health facilities.”
According to the World Bank, South Sudan faces numerous environmental challenges, including floods and droughts. Climate variability is expected to exacerbate these issues, negatively affecting agriculture, while increased rainfall intensity may heighten the risk of floods and waterborne diseases.