ACORD is looking forward to develop agricultural potentiality, particularly cassava production in Lobonok Payam of Juba County this year to improve food security.
The Livelihood Coordinator of ACORD Ojjali Thomas said that, ACORD would support farmers with farm tools to increase production as well as support the processing and marketing of farmer's products.
"ACORD is set to strengthen the production and support the processing and marketing of the cassava for both Lobonok and Juba Markets", Says Ojjali Thomas the Livelihood coordinator of ACORD.
He said that in order to increase cassava production, 360 beneficiaries will be selected from three Bomas of Lobonok Payam who will form 12 farmer groups adding that out of the 360 beneficiaries, 50% will be women.
400 hoes, 300 pangas or Machete and 200 rakes will be distributed to the groups so that they would be able to cultivate the 60 Fedans in total including the distribution of 240000 cassava cuttings. The three Bomas to benefit from the project includes Kit 1, Kit 4 and Karpeto.
According to the project document, the group fields will be used as demonstration plots where the agronomists will introduce and teach new agricultural techniques such as weed control, use of compost as natural fertilizers, natural and integrated management of pests and cassava cuttings production and management. "We have a number of trainings for the sustainability of the project," says Thomas.
Adding that further trainings on leaderships and management, accounting and business management, bookkeeping, costs and revenue analysis including micro credit and market analysis will be undertaken as a means of supporting and marketing the farmer associations in the area.
ACORD and Mani Tese, which get her huge funding from the Municipality of Milano in Italy, have implemented a project last year with a focus on restarting agricultural activities for food security amongst the returnees in Lobonok Payam and Juba County in general.
However, this year the focus is to increase the production of cassava and starts up a processing mill for improve food security in Juba County. "We will provide a mill, chopping machine and some knives to facilitate the processing of the cassava tubers," reveals the Livelihood Coordinator.
He added that the farmer groups would be trained on how to peel, chop and dry the tubers. He also added that a store would be built near the road to Juba to facilitate the sale and marketing of the produce to Juba market.
The Community in Lobonok has welcomed the project and expresses their willingness to support it whole-heartedly to ensure that the project goal is achieved. David Loro, one of the beneficiary applauded ACORD for her readiness to develop the community.
"I know ACORD's commitment in the development of South Sudan Since its project in Amadi some years ago," Added Loro.
Comments Post a comment