The Experience of Small Grant Management Project Implementation of the SAFDP, South Sudan

With the financial support from the MDTF/WB, the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry (MAF), Republic of South Sudan initiated and launched SAFDP between the period in two phases. Phase one: 2 nd June 2008 to March 2011 Phase two: May 2011 to 30 th June 2012 Project Development Objectives: 1.Technology dissemination on agriculture & forestry 2.Enhancing adoption 3.Increasing productivity of agriculture & forestry to 4.boost up the production and food supply. 2

Twenty seven (27)grant mechanisms established in each of the 27 Counties covered by the project including:  County Coordination committees [CCT] and  County Technical Review committees [CTRT] in the five states; Five State Technical committees (STC ) functional, one in each of the states covered by the project. 776 farmer/HH groups with 15,066 farmers (9,072 males & 5,994 females) supported with grants in the targeted (27)counties; Predominant enterprises covered main food crops, Poultry, fish farming, vegetable production amongst others 26,596 feddans cleared/planted with predominantly cereals, 3,099 M.T recorded produce, Over 50,588 assorted seedlings raised by the farmers groups that engaged on seedlings; over 2,500,114 SSP incomes realized from the sales of vegetable produce and unquantifiable produce consumed as food by farmer groups members. 3

One hundred fifteen [115] Micro-Projects were supported during period in the 5 states, 27 Counties under the Support to CBOs and LLOs; 78,041 farmers were reached; 1,686 feddans planted with field crops =>1,431M.T produced; 96,727 assorted seedlings raised => sold for 86,008 SSP 1,530 birds’ layers raised; 475 bars of shea nuts soaps and 565 litters of shea nuts oil were made; Farming and management knowledge and skill acquired by beneficiaries through training; 4

Ten (10) special projects supported; 3,430 households with 23,330 population benefited from special project activities 1,480 feddans put under improved groundnuts & sorghum varieties and cassava varieties, TME multiplication, & grafted mangoes, budded citruses and pineapples; M.T seeds multiplied 137 farmers trained on specialized practices on seeds and Cassava planting material, grafting & budding techniques. 5

10,044 farmers (6,284 Males & 3,760 Females) trained over the project period from the 5 states, 27 Counties on topics including: Improved agronomic practices Group dynamics Record keeping, amongst others on their selected enterprises based upon GAPs. 6

1. There is need for crop diversification 2. Enhancement of interaction with all stakeholders 3. Farmers Group strategy has proved to be effective 4. Training of the staff has equipped them with necessary skills to significantly contribute to the success of the project.