Revised Wau-2014 Resolution “Rumbek 2016”

Revised Wau-2014 Resolution “Rumbek 2016”

The South Sudan Rural Development (SORUDEV) Smallholder Component was launched in May 2014 aimed at improving food security in the States of Western Bahr El Ghazal, Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Warrap and Lakes through a three-pronged approach: first, by putting in place cross-sector food security information and coordination mechanisms both at national and at state level (result 1); secondly, by strengthening an extension system and introducing animal traction (result 2), and thirdly, by improving the rural feeder road network (result 3).

The SORUDEV Smallholder Component focuses on development, unlike past and on-going relief initiatives. It is being implemented in relatively secure and stable states in South Sudan where conflict is limited. In these geographical locations the target beneficiaries are the productive but poor arable crop and pastoral farmers. The goal of SORUDEV smallholder component (result 2) is to increase agricultural production and the income of smallholder farmers in South Sudan over 36 months. This result is to be achieved by helping the State authorities and private actors to put in place a functional extension service that effectively reaches smallholders. Projects need to be consistent with the States' plans for the agricultural sector, and validated by the relevant States' line Ministries.

A common approach was decided at a programme harmonisation workshop held in Wau in July 2014 and Revised during a SORUDEV streeting committee meeting in 2016, which de-emphasises the free distribution of inputs by targeting farmer communities rather than individual farmers. The approach is aimed at strengthening groups by providing better agricultural extension packages (such as farmer-led and farmer field/pastoral schools), by fostering the development of market-driven supply of inputs at the payam level and by encouraging access to credit through community savings and loans associations.