Norway Ambassador Lars Andersen visits World Vision's projects in Juba; urges South Sudanese farmers to “grow own food”

Norwegian Ambassador to South Sudan Lars Andersen, along with Food and Agriculture (FAO) officials led by Deputy Representative Pierre Vauthier, visited World Vision’s Urban Nutrition Voucher Program in Kasire village outside of South Sudan’s capital city Juba. The project works with 2,500 vulnerable households to have access to fish, vegetables and milk tosupplement their household diets. It has also built the capacity of at least 500 households on improved farming practices.

Meeting over 20 farmers who were part of the program, Ambassador Andersen expressed his encouragement hearing that apart from growing vegetables, they are also able to develop business selling their products in the market and earn extra income. 

Otong Wilson, one of the farmers, tells Ambassador Andersen, “For all of us, farming is very important. We do not want to be dependent. We have hands and we are willing to work hard.”

Mona Martin, 30-year old mother of six children, adds, “We are thankful to World Vision. This project opened our eyes to new learning. We realized we can multiply our production and earn more.” Martin further adds, “The money we receive from the project is not enough. But that also challenged us to increase our production to have more income. We plan to raise chicken and goats that we can sell in the market.”

“World Vision supported the farmers to improve their gardening and farming skills. At this time, we are happy that they were able to increase their production and even enjoy a surplus that they were able to sell in the market, “explains Gift Sibanda, World Vision’s Zonal Manager for Juba. Twenty-nine year old farmer James shared their suffering before getting the new knowledge on farming. He says, “Our system of cultivation was improved and it has changed even our way of life. We learned to plant properly.”

Ambassador Andersen told the farmers that they are in the forefront of the struggle of South Sudan and must do their best to lead the way until the country and its people will no longer rely on humanitarian aid. Deputy Representative Pierre Vauthier assured the farmers of FAO’s continuing support together with World Vision. He says, “South Sudan can always create food for its own population. If you need support, FAO and World Vision will always be there for you.”

World Vision’s Country Programme Director Mesfin Loha expressed pride on the project’s accomplishments.  He reiterated World Vision’s partnership with FAO and its positive impact on the people, saying, “The 7th independence anniversary should challenge us all to do more and to strive harder so South Sudan, especially the children, will no longer be hungry.”

The Norway Government has recently donated NOK 150 million (around USD 18.6 million) in multi-year funding to FAO South Sudan to improve food security and provide life-saving livelihood support to thousands of farmers.