UNDP - IGAD initiative to boost agriculture production in Yambio

For almost 5 million people in South Sudan, Food - a basic need, is increasingly becoming a luxury as many farmers find it harder to access the field, while consumers don’t have the money to purchase the scarce food.

Access to food has been affected by the ongoing conflict and the soaring food prices that have seen some markets either run out of food stocks or actually have food stalls but that can not be purchased due to the high costs.

But some parts of South Sudan like Yambio provide more opportunities for food production. Located in the greater Western Equatoria region, Yambio has often been described as a greenbelt with fertile soils, giving it a good climate, suitable for farming.

Because of this potential, the United Nations Development Program through the the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Regional Initiative for Capacity Enhancement, funded by the Government of Norway, has embarked on an initiative designed to boost farming in Yambio.

Henry Lokuri reports