Support 60 farmers in Aweil

Relief Aid for Disaster Reduction Agency (RADRA), implement program of FFS (farmer field school) FFS objective is to empower farmers with knowledge and skills to make them experts in their own fields, and to share farmers’ ability to make critical and informed decisions that render their farming profitable and sustainable. Where “Nyanut's” come in, she come from community where majority lack agriculture inputs, knowledge and skills to leverage agriculture actives.

"Farming require agriculture input, which I could not afford" I collect grass (straw) in distance of 4 hours work and sell it at market in order to provide for my family were Nyanut's first words when asked about her farming. She comes from a poor and marginalized community with a low agricultural practices. 98% of her community used traditional farming which lack improved seeds and other agriculture input, because of the unfavorable economic conditions. Now, at the age of thirty-eight as a mother and father of seven children, her husband lost his life in December, 2013 crisis in juba. Despite that she continues to make choices that meet the basic needs of her most loved ones.

One can easily notice that Nyanut’s sheis compassionate woman leading her household that puts her family's needs before her own. She is hardworking woman that makes a living by spending 4 hours work and another 4 hours going back from collecting grass (straw) of her day working.

However, after joining FFS (farmer Field School). Nyanut’s, as a true believer in lifelong learning practical in field. She enjoys being in a practical environment in field spending time and socializing with peers. In addition, she finds her teacher's methods are very easy to understand and learn the practical. This experience has awakened Nyanut's desire to continue. “i do not want to be a collecting grass (straw ) all my life. I plan to continue farming". She aspires to utilize her knowledge and skills to become a self-reliance and sustainable farmer.

Capacity Building

In April, 20 beneficiaries participated in capacity building trainings for agriculture production during dry season, to build their knowledge and skills on agricultural practices and high production, and more on sustainable land use practices that will ensure ecological balance through environmental conservation. .

Activities Progress. The distribution of agriculture input (seeds) to 20 beneficiaries reached. However, the shortage of agriculture inputs (seed), could not cover target beneficiaries. Fourteen fedhans (14 hectares) had been Plough toward the end of April. Land was cultivated by tractors during the dry season. However, the efficient utilization of the new and other existing tractors is highly constrained by shortage of full and lack of spare parts. The plantation of sorghum seeds start from early May (on time) and up to June depending on the adequacy of the rain to carry out planting, which varied from place to place. Beneficiaries on other hand are much engage in the field work, and activities being implemented making great impact to community at large not only improving target beneficiaries but improving practical’s work to host community.

Challengers The major issue arise was pest during the season was army-worm, which occurred in the field, causing damage on seedlings, particularly of sorghum. However, the damage caused by this pest was average. The occurrence of endemic pests in general was within the normal range causing mild to average damage in most cases