SUSTAINABLE FARMING PROJECT – SOLIDARITY WITH SOUTH SUDAN (SSS)
RIIMENZE

Riimenze is located in Western Equatoria State, a very fertile area of South Sudan with great potential for agricultural initiatives, but still underdeveloped due to armed conflicts, frequent flooding and consequent displacement of people.
The Sustainable Agricultural Project (SAP-R) in Riimenze sets out primarily to secure livelihoods. The farm itself employs about 20 permanent workers, and numerous casual workers from the surrounding communities. It provides income and training opportunity, especially for women.

Outreach program
• Improve food security through farmer training, natural resources protection, and promotion of biological diversity
• Training courses on sustainable farming techniques and better nutrition
• Supply of new/improved seed varieties
• Training on livestock and provision of animal pairs Field visits and monitoring Awareness creation via radio
Environment friendly approaches via implementation of smart climate farming methods and controlled integrated livestock keeping.
Farm planning and seeding workshops are conducted for outside growers. Other workshops cover the topics of plant and environmental protection, crop rotation and propagation, post-harvest handling, and livestock, marketing and the start-up of micro-enterprises. More than half of the participants in workshops are women.
Nutrition Program Special focus on 360 malnourished children: distribution of locally produced nutritional supplements and specific training for mums. The program aimed at women and their children to prevent and combat child malnutrition through improved nutrition practices and optimized use of agricultural and household resources.
Elderly Program Assistance to 100 displaced elderly people with monthly food and home repairs.
Kindergarten. More than 270 children attend the Saint Dominic & Savio Nursery School in Riimenze.
The project also uses local technology to communicate the message. Bi-monthly radio talk shows disseminate agricultural technical knowledge and information about good nutrition and hygiene practices to the broader public.
In 2023, about 20 tons of food were harvested from 120 acres of land – a huge contribution to food security in the area. The food from Riimenze farm is also sold to the Solidarity Teacher Training College in Yambio, to help feed the students there.
The overall goals of Solidarity’s involvement in agriculture are to promote better health education, provide better nutrition, encourage good agrarian practices and, generally, to assist and empower the people of South Sudan.
Solidarity helps the local economy function better by the injection of funds through employment, and the introduction of basic farming practices, rather than developing large commercial enterprises that depend on expensive equipment. The environmentally friendly approach is based on the implementation of climate-smart farming methods and controlled integrated breeding.
Solidarity is developing and building local capacity that can serve as an example to more people living in the rural areas of South Sudan.

Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 2 “Zero Hunger: end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”
2.1 Universal access to safe and nutritious food
2.1 end all forms of malnutrition
2.2 Double the productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers
2.3 Sustainable food production and resilient agricultural practices
Goal 8: “Decent work and economic growth: promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”

8.3 Promote policies to support job creation and growing enterprises
8.4 Improve resource efficiency in consumption and production

Goal 15: “Life on land: protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”

15.4 Ensure conservation of mountain ecosystems
15.a Increase financial resources to conserve and sustainably use ecosystem and biodiversity

Systemic change:
Building Resilience to Climate Change: By adopting sustainable farming methods, the project helps communities become more resilient to climate shocks like droughts or floods, promoting long-term environmental sustainability.
Shifting Local Agricultural Practices: As farmers adopt new methods, they influence others in the community, creating a ripple effect that encourages broader adoption of sustainable practices.
Influencing Policy: Successful community-led projects can provide models for policymakers, encouraging national support for sustainable agricultural initiatives.

LESSONS
Importance of Local Knowledge: Sustainable farming isn’t just about importing knowledge; it’s about blending modern techniques with traditional knowledge to ensure success.
Collaboration is Key: Partnerships between SSS, local governments, and communities are crucial to the success of these projects.
Patience and Persistence: Change takes time. Farmers may initially resist new practices, so it’s essential to build trust and demonstrate the long-term benefits of sustainable methods.

HOPE
This project generates hope by demonstrating that, even in regions faced with war, poverty, and climate change, sustainable agriculture can bring about positive change. It empowers communities, especially women, to take control of their own livelihoods and future. By giving farmers the tools to thrive in difficult conditions, the project offers a vision of self-sufficiency, prosperity, and environmental healing for South Sudan.
The hope lies in the potential for communities to transform their own futures—through resilience, innovation, and collaboration.

Conclusion
The sustainable farming project in South Sudan highlights the power of local, context-specific solutions to address global challenges. By empowering farmers with the tools, knowledge, and resources they need, the project helps build a more resilient, food-secure, and sustainable future for South Sudan. This initiative is a vital step toward long-term prosperity and environmental stewardship in a region facing significant challenges.

 

Jubilee Campaign 2025