The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, through its project Improved Living Conditions and Psychosocial Support (ILiPS), on Tuesday handed over 12 cereal grinding machines to 12 beneficiary farmer groups in Yei River and Magwi counties.
A press statement extended to Radio Tamazuj said each farmer group consists of 25 members, with 60 percent of the selected members being female. GIZ South Sudan implements the project on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
“The initiative aims to support beneficiaries in establishing and strengthening small-scale income-generating activities by improving access to cereal-processing equipment,” the statement reads in part. “The machines are expected to reduce the time and effort required to process cereals, increase productivity and the value of the resulting products, and create opportunities for beneficiaries to earn a sustainable income.”
The handover ceremony brought together representatives of GIZ South Sudan, implementing partners, local authorities, communities, and beneficiary groups. The equipment was formally handed over to the beneficiaries, who were encouraged to take responsibility, maintain the machines, and use them for their intended purpose.
Speaking at the handover, Ramson Duku, Agricultural Advisor, emphasized the importance of the equipment in promoting self-reliance and strengthening household livelihoods.
“This support is intended to provide beneficiaries with practical tools that can contribute to increased household income and improved resilience,” he said. “We encourage beneficiaries to take ownership of the equipment, maintain it properly, and use it sustainably for the benefit of their families and communities.”
The beneficiaries expressed their appreciation for the support, noting that the cereal-grinding machines would help increase productivity, reduce processing costs, and create opportunities to generate income.
The project will provide follow-up support to promote effective and sustainable use of the equipment, GIZ said.
The handover of the grinding mills is part of GIZ South Sudan’s broader efforts to strengthen agricultural extension services and promote climate-smart farming practices among smallholder farmers in Yei and Magwi counties. GIZ takes an integrated approach: the handover of machinery is accompanied by training and technical support for beneficiaries.
The ILiPS project is implemented by GIZ South Sudan on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It supports returnees, internally displaced persons, and host communities to increase agricultural production and improve food security.
The project also provides cereal value-addition machines to improve access to processing and income-generating opportunities. In addition, it aims to strengthen community members’ access to psychosocial support services and raise awareness of the importance of psychosocial well-being.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a German federal enterprise that supports international cooperation for sustainable development. In South Sudan, GIZ works with local institutions, communities, and development partners to support initiatives that strengthen agricultural development, food and nutrition security, livelihoods, natural resource management, access to water, and community resilience.
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