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DATE: May 14, 2009<br />

PARTICIPANTS: Ruth Buckley<br />

West Yugulle, USAID/Sudan<br />

Just<strong>in</strong> Taban, MAF<br />

Scott Allen<br />

Ahmed Sidahmed<br />

Meg Brown<br />

LOCATION: Kajo Keji, Central Equatoria<br />

PERSONS MET: Commissioner Muki Batali Buli <strong>and</strong> Senior Agricultural <strong>and</strong><br />

Cooperative official<br />

Farmers groups<br />

Ox plow manufactur<strong>in</strong>g center<br />

CAHWs<br />

Livestock Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g Center<br />

Chamber of Commerce<br />

PURPOSE: Hold discussions with country officials about <strong>agriculture</strong> priorities <strong>and</strong> gaps <strong>in</strong> the county,<br />

underst<strong>and</strong> what programs are currently go<strong>in</strong>g on. Meet with private sector, see the market <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>terview<br />

traders<br />

DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS:<br />

• Most of the county population eat what they grow<br />

• System is mixed crop-livestock farm<strong>in</strong>g<br />

• War led to loss of agricultural skills as many refugees lived for so many years on <strong>food</strong> h<strong>and</strong>outs<br />

have lost their skills <strong>and</strong> their desire farm. This year most of the returnees from Ug<strong>and</strong>a <strong>and</strong> Juba<br />

camps. Once returnees are back l<strong>and</strong> is distributed or relocated by the Chiefs.<br />

• Production is for subsistence <strong>and</strong> the ma<strong>in</strong> constra<strong>in</strong>ts are lack of seeds, labor, cultivation tools<br />

<strong>and</strong> poor roads. This year a major constra<strong>in</strong>t is late ra<strong>in</strong> (two months delay). Security is no longer<br />

a problem (No LRA, no cattle raid<strong>in</strong>g).<br />

• The county prefers improved seeds, but <strong>in</strong> any case the seeds come late.<br />

• Poor roads make it difficult to transport crops to Juba. Actually local product is transported to<br />

Ug<strong>and</strong>a from where it is re-imported <strong>and</strong> transported to Juba!<br />

• NPA supported the development of ox plows manufactur<strong>in</strong>g facility, a farmer tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g center;<br />

oxen hire system <strong>and</strong> village organization.<br />

− The ox plow facility is still work<strong>in</strong>g manufactur<strong>in</strong>g plows <strong>and</strong> spare <strong>part</strong>s. The Group<br />

“Savanna” use ox plows, store <strong>and</strong> distribute seeds<br />

− The farmer tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g center was <strong>in</strong>itiated by NPA <strong>in</strong> 1998 (tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> crop husb<strong>and</strong>ry, ox<br />

plow technology, demonstration of improved seeds, tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g community oxen tra<strong>in</strong>ers<br />

<strong>and</strong> grow<strong>in</strong>g fruit trees. The center is now closed<br />

− The Mongita Farmers Cooperative is a good example which started with 145 members <strong>in</strong><br />

2004. The coop is still function<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> manages <strong>in</strong> addition to farm<strong>in</strong>g, a store for seeds<br />

<strong>and</strong> tools storage.<br />

• Many farmers would like to own livestock but lack skills<br />

• Livestock prices: 500 – 750 SDP/ local head of cattle compared to 400-600 SDN per head<br />

imported from Ug<strong>and</strong>a<br />

EXPANDING AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY ACTIVITIES IN SOUTHERN SUDAN 71

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