A Morning at the Demonstration Farm in Juba

In Juba, it is 7:00 a.m.  The red soil is turning golden as the sun just peeks over the horizon.  A group of young interns surround our farm manager, Mr. Obede, under the shade of a mango tree.  They are now learning how to plant maize the “Pfumvudza” way, which involves placing the crop in precisely measured basins and mulching them with crop residue from the previous season to shield the soil from the intense heat.  This approach is fundamental to the Foundations for Farming model, which prioritizes accuracy, faithfulness, and land stewardship.

Champion farmers in the area are hard at work harvesting okra, kudura, carrots, eggplants, and tomatoes.  With 6.5 kg of tomatoes from a single plot, bright orange carrots, and shiny purple eggplants, the baskets are fuller than they have been in years.  Groundnuts are growing beneath the soil in the following field, where sorghum and maize stalks are proudly displayed.

This is the first time that many of these young farmers have seen such abundance on what used to appear to be barren and unproductive land. They chuckle, rejoice, and soon begin talking about how to duplicate the success in their communities.
 
 Empower Farmers Empower Farmers South Sudan centers around this living classroom, where they not only teach conservation agriculture but also practice, test, and celebrate it.
 
 Why This Model Is Effective

Empower Farmers South Sudan, a flagship initiative of EmpowerKids-South Sudan, is demonstrating that, with the correct resources, guidance, and confidence, smallholder farmers can prosper even in challenging circumstances.

What makes our model unique is as follows:

• Using the Foundations for Farming Model  a comprehensive strategy that restores degraded soils and increases yields by fusing conservation agriculture, religious stewardship principles, and methodical field management.

• Demonstration Farms as Learning Centers: Before attempting new methods, farmers observe tangible results.

• Youth Involvement: School farms and internships guarantee that the following generation is exposed to sustainable practices at a young age.

• Low-Cost, High-Impact Techniques: Farming can be profitable without costly machinery by using crop rotation, mulching, minimum tillage, and timely planting.

• Blended Learning: Farmers can access agricultural knowledge in the field by using SolarSPELL, a digital library powered by solar energy.

• Community Ownership: Farmers are not just recipients.  They are leaders, trainers, and co-creators in their communities.

Concrete Outcomes from the Field

In a short period of time, the Juba Demonstration Farm has achieved impressive results:

• Harvests of maize were better than expected, with healthy cobs despite unpredictable rains.

• Well-matured groundnuts are currently serving as the foundation for a seed bank for the upcoming growing season.

• Vegetables are flourishing; the community receives regular harvests of tomatoes, eggplants, carrots, kudura, and okra, which provide both food and revenue.

• Improved weeding and soil health techniques are helping sorghum and millet fields recover from striga infestation.

• These findings demonstrate that, despite difficult circumstances, Foundations for Farming techniques are effective in the soils and climate of South Sudan.

The Significance of this for South Sudan

Farmers in South Sudan must contend with unpredictable rainfall, degraded soil, and growing food costs. Initiatives such as Empower Farmers provide a path forward:

• Increased Yields, Reduced Risk: Conservation agriculture increases soil fertility and guards against drought.

• Food Security for All: Communities depend less on expensive imports and food assistance when farmers increase their output.

• Environmental Protection: Rebuilding the soil and preventing erosion are achieved through minimum tillage, crop rotation, and mulching.

• Youth Employment & Peacebuilding: Involving young people in constructive work lowers conflict-causing factors and idleness.

• The tried-and-true Foundations for Farming model has proven successful in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and other African countries. It is currently producing positive results in South Sudan.

An Appeal to the Government

What if there were demonstration farms like the one in Juba in every county in South Sudan?  Imagine all schools instructing students on how to cultivate wholesome food and preserve soil.  Imagine living in a nation where farmers are hailed as innovators rather than forgotten workers.

This is attainable; it’s not just a dream.  The government must take the lead in order for this to occur:

• Make conservation agriculture a national policy by incorporating the ideas of Foundations for Farming into the country’s agricultural plan.

• Provide funding for training and extension services, giving local extension agents the skills and resources they need to understand Conservation Agriculture (CA).

• Encourage farmer cooperatives by providing them with bulk access to markets, storage, and inputs.

• Expand school farms as learning laboratories across the country by collaborating with NGOs and educational institutions.

• Measure and Replicate: Monitor harvest data from demonstration farms and utilize it to inform the implementation of large-scale projects.

Final Thoughts

I see baskets of vegetables waiting to be sold, rows of maize gently swaying, and the aroma of freshly pulled groundnuts as I stroll around the farm at sunset.  It’s difficult to imagine this soil being barren and dead only a few months ago. It is now a place of abundance thanks to the Foundations for Farming model.

South Sudan is self-sufficient. Will we decide to scale what is already effective?

We at EmpowerKids-South Sudan are prepared. The farmers are prepared. The young people are prepared. It’s time for legislators to be prepared as well.

Come Along With Us

By working together, we can create a South Sudan where all farmers prosper and all communities eat the fruits of their labor.