expanding agriculture and food security activities in ... - part - usaid

4. Democracy and Governance
In support of the implementation of the CPA, USAID is working with the GOSS to develop the core
institutions and systems necessary to meet citizen needs. This assistance is being expanded to Southern
state governments along the north-south border and in the Three Areas. At the same time, USAID is
supporting the development and strengthening of means to enable citizen participation in governance;
including civil society organizations, political parties, media, and access to information, civic education,
and dialogues between government and citizen groups. The program supports implementation of key
political processes mandated by the CPA, including the census, national elections (now scheduled for
February 2010), popular consultations in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states, and the 2011 referenda
on unity for Southern Sudan and Abyei. This holistic assistance encompasses support for the
administration of these processes, civic participation, and international observation.
Of particular relevance to the agricultural project are the activities that support civic participation, anticorruption
and media and information. Civic participation focuses on marginalized groups and provides
community centers as meeting places and information centers to help build capacity for these groups to
effectively participate in decision making. These centers will not only help rebuild some of the destroyed
social capital, but could also be used for transmitting agricultural information and training. Anticorruption
will be important for all levels of society including farmer groups/cooperatives. The DG
program is expanding the number of FM radio stations and distributing wind up radios that will enable
more rural citizens to access information, including agricultural material.
5. Food for Peace (FFP)
The objective of the FFP program is to improve food security and support the return of displaced persons
to Southern Sudan and the Three Areas. The program is implemented by both WFP and NGOs. It aims to
meet basic emergency needs and recovery opportunities in areas densely populated with IDP and refugee
returnees, as well as those of relative stability. While the greater percentage of food assistance in these
areas is recovery-based, there remains a significant need for emergency response – especially in volatile
areas. FFP-donated food security activities benefited approximately 1.6 million people in Southern Sudan
and the Three Areas in 2008. Activities include school feeding; Food-for-Recovery programs that
support community initiatives such as the building of schools and other common assets; and Food-for-
Training programs, which build vocational skills and increase literacy.
6. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA)
USAID/OFDA works in Southern Sudan and the Three Areas, to support transition emergency programs
to long-term development organizations, while continuing to support recovery programs in areas of
highest need. USAID/OFDA funding priorities include health, food security and agriculture, economy
and market systems, and water, sanitation, and hygiene. USAID/OFDA supports programs to transport
and assist Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) returning to Southern Sudan. USAID/OFDA maintains an
emergency response capacity.
b. USAID Supported Regional Initiatives
1. CAADP
In 2002 African Ministers of Agriculture approved a major initiative for agriculture: the Comprehensive
Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), which was prepared by the FAO in cooperation
with a NEPAD Steering Committee. Under the CAADP there are four pillars:
• Extending the area under sustainable land management and reliable water control systems
• Improving rural infrastructure and trade-related capacities for market access
EXPANDING AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY ACTIVITIES IN SOUTHERN SUDAN 14