World Bank issues US$30M grant to South Sudan to enhance food production 

SOUTH SUDAN- The World Bank, through the International Development Association (IDA), has provided a US$30 million grant to South Sudan to support smart, sustainable agricultural practices and natural resource management initiatives in the country. 

The grant is part of a collaborative effort between the government, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Bank to provide much-needed assistance to smallholder farmers in the country. 

According to the World Bank, the grant is intended to facilitate adaptation of climate-conscious agricultural technologies that enhance production, more so rain-fed rice cultivation in rain affected areas in the country.  

The grant, spread over the next three years, targets 140,000 households in rural South Sudan, including 98,000 households affected by floods, 5,000 refugees, and 40,000 returnees.  

The funds will be primarily used to provide seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, machinery, and other farm inputs required for climate-smart agriculture and enhanced food production.  

Beth Bechdol, FAO’s Deputy Director General, said, “This contribution is crucial to boost smallholder farmers’ resilience to increasing climate shocks and to minimize damage to their crops, livestock, and source of livelihoods. We need to act before extreme events happen.” 

“Agriculture is particularly vulnerable to these climate shocks, and where 90% of the population relies on farming, investing in safeguarding crops, livestock and inputs is of utmost importance.” 

South Sudan is one of the most climate-vulnerable and food insecure countries in the continent. The country has suffered four consecutive years of flooding that has affected 3.3 million people. Around 7 million people experienced acute food security between April to July 2024, with 79,000 likely to experience catastrophe levels of food insecurity. 

FAO has implemented an array of interventions through its Country Programming Framework (CPF) running from 2023 to 2025, to identify and respond to key priority areas in enhancing climate resilience and food production in the country. 

FAO has primarily used cash-voucher programs at local levels to empower food production and enhance sustainability in vulnerable communities. In 2023, 3.5 million people (590,000 households) were reached through such programs.  

The collaborative effort, funded by the World Bank, is expected to further contribute to these mitigation efforts. 

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