Uplifting communities: Transforming lives by promoting health, economic resilience, and sustainable practices.
Morobo is one of the six counties in Central Equatoria state, South Sudan bordering Yei County to the north-west, Lainya County to the north-east, Uganda to the south-east and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the south-west. The people in Morobo are local farmers working for food. Morobo is part of the green belt, has fertile soil and also acts as a breadbasket for Yei and Juba making it an ideal location for agricultural activities.
A REACH assessment in 2018 revealed that families in this area reported eating one meal per day on average. Due to “unsafe access to land,” half of the population was reported to be food insecure. Aside from agricultural occupations, half of the population reported owning cattle.
ACROSS is implementing a project entitled: “Multisectoral Disability Inclusive Resilience for IDPs, Returnees, Refugees, and Host Communities in Central Equatoria State, South Sudan, using a Multisectoral Disability-inclusive Approach.” Trained 50 farmers (35 women, 15 men) inclusive of (10) persons with disabilities in Morobo county on modern agriculture practices and balanced nutrition. The training is transformative as it encouraged nutritious farming which is vital for enhancing food security and improving health outcomes. By adopting sustainable agricultural practices and diversifying crops, communities were able to increase their access to nutritious foods, leading to better nutrition and overall well-being.
The farmers having been trained in modern farming techniques and resource management. This helped them maximize their yields and reduce dependency on food aid. Additionally, integrating nutrition education into farming initiatives ensured that families understood the importance of a balanced diet and how to utilize locally available resources effectively.
The group in Kimba Payam capitalizes on community gardens and cooperative farming which foster social cohesion, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and collective support. As families cultivate diverse crops, they not only improve their diets but also create economic opportunities through the sale of surplus produce.
