By Baraka John
The Western Equatoria State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, in partnership with the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), East-West Seed and other development partners, has launched the harvest of horticultural crops from a demonstration learning plot in Yambio.
The initiative aims to equip farmers with practical knowledge and skills in improved and sustainable farming practices to increase crop production, improve yields, strengthen food security and enhance livelihoods across Western Equatoria State.
The harvest was conducted at the Central Learning Plot within the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The demonstration farm was established to give farmers practical exposure to improved agricultural techniques that can be replicated in their own fields.
Western Equatoria State Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, Bridget Nangomoro, welcomed the participation of state ministries and development partners, describing the harvest as a demonstration of the potential of sustainable agriculture in the state.
Minister Nagomoro called for continued cooperation among the government, communities and development partners to strengthen the agricultural sector and improve livelihoods across the state.
“They are here with one heart: to encourage, to teach our farmers to improve their farming so that they can have proper yields and produce. Western Equatoria is the food basket of food, and we need to have enough food, plenty more than what we can expect from Western Equatoria State. These are the partners who are spearheading this work, working closely with farmers in all the villages and here in the Ministry of Agriculture. We can see what they are doing here; this shows us in the Ministry of Agriculture where we can get food of all varieties.” She said
Nelson Mandela Ezadin, a Field Agronomist with SNV, said the learning plot provides farmers with hands-on experience in modern and environmentally sustainable farming practices.
Ezadin explained that SNV is implementing the Yambio Central demonstration learning plot project under the EIZIT programme, funded by the European Union in partnership with Star Trust Organization.
“This central learning plot was established to facilitate knowledge transfer among farmers and other participants. In Yambio, SNV is implementing the CDRD project under GIZ, with funding from the European Union. SNV works with several organizations, including Star Trust Organization as an implementing partner. Under the horticulture component, SNV partners with East-West Seed, while Proceed has been contracted to work with 100 seed producers. Today, we are here to launch the harvest of horticultural crops produced at this central learning plot in Yambio.”
Meanwhile, Peter Ajak Ateny of East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer said demonstration plots are important in strengthening farmers’ skills, increasing food production and promoting sustainable agricultural livelihoods.
“In this central learning plot, the main things that we are showcasing articulate how we can grow vegetables and the main vegetables that we have here are tomatoes, we have two varieties, patima and pelle, we have cabbage, we have kale that is “SUKUMA WIKI”, we have carliflower, we have Okra, we have green paper, we also have spinach, we also have garlic, we also watermelon and pumpkin and also we have a ceareal component. The main reason for this is to empower the extension agents at the state level and then also community agricultural facilitators and other stakeholders like the agro dealers to come and showcase the crops that perform under this environment and the practices that can influence better yield for this local environment.”
The demonstration farm features two varieties of tomatoes, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, okra, green pepper, spinach, garlic, watermelon and pumpkin.
Farmers are also being trained in practical techniques including tomato trellising, raised-bed farming, mulching, compost manure application and environmentally friendly pest-management methods.
The agriculture partners say the initiative is intended to increase crop production, improve yields, promote sustainable farming and contribute to stronger food security and improved livelihoods across Western Equatoria State.