Transforming lives in South Sudan through resilient farming practices
Onesimo Loro, a 43-year-old father in Rajaf Payam, a community in the outskirts of Juba, tells his uplifting story about how his family's life has improved. Once a struggling farmer, Onesimo has become self-reliant, thanks to the support of the Greater Resilience Enhanced through a Market-based Agriculture, WASH Services, and Nutrition (GREAW) project. His story reflects the powerful impact of the initiative in building resilience and improving livelihoods within South Sudanese communities.
In 2023, Onesimo and his family faced numerous difficulties. Due to financial constraints, he struggled to provide food for his family, pay for his children's school fees, and access quality healthcare. Their lives were miserable, and the future looked uncertain as hunger and recurring health issues became regular aspects of their lives, with few prospects for improvement. However, in 2024, Onesimo's situation began to improve when he discovered the GREAW project. This program is designed to enhance community resilience through positive peace interventions, market-based strategies, and climate-sensitive agricultural practices.
In 2023, Onesimo and his family faced numerous difficulties. Due to financial constraints, he struggled to provide food for his family, pay for his children's school fees, and access quality healthcare. Their lives were miserable, and the future looked uncertain as hunger and recurring health issues became regular aspects of their lives, with few prospects for improvement. However, in 2024, Onesimo's situation began to improve when he discovered the GREAW project. This program is designed to enhance community resilience through positive peace interventions, market-based strategies, and climate-sensitive agricultural practices.
This program proved transformative for the father of six (three boys and three girls) after he became a participant of the Excellence Farmers’ Vegetable Production Group, part of World Vision’s GREAW farmers program in Kolye East, with support from “World Vision supported me with seeds, farming tools, and skills in agricultural practices,” he explains. In that same year, he cultivated vegetables, including okra and Jute mallow, on half a feddan of land, yielding 150 kg of okra and 52.5 kg of Jute mallow. From the sale of jute mallow, he generated an income of 262,500 SSP from a weekly harvest (equivalent to 50 US dollars), while the sale of okra brought him 900,000 SSP (equivalent to 202 US dollars) from each monthly harvest.
Despite challenges like inadequate water supply for irrigation and a lack of pesticides, Onesimo can now provide regular, diversified meals for his extended family. He has enrolled all his six children in school, improved access to timely healthcare services for his family, supported extended family members, and created connections between himself and vegetable produce buyers in the markets. Additionally, he has constructed a semi-permanent house and continues to enjoy improved living conditions at his household. His successful progress in farming extends beyond his home. He now sells his produce to an estimated 1,500 people in his community and ready buyers at the Konyo-konyo market (a busy market in Juba), inspiring other community members to join the initiative.
As a passionate and self-motivated farmer, Onesimo now looks forward to constructing a permanent house and purchasing a vehicle. Onesimo expresses his appreciation to World Vision South Sudan and Australian Aid through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) for their support and encourages other farmers to unite and form groups to strengthen themselves and the community as a whole to improve the food and income security of their households and the country at large.
Story and photos by Mambo Evens