JUBA—Smallholder farmers in Yei and Magwi counties have received 12 cereal-grinding machines from the German development agency GIZ in an initiative aimed at reducing processing costs and creating income-generating opportunities for rural communities.
The machines were handed over to 12 farmer groups, with each group receiving one machine. Each group comprises 25 members, 60 percent of whom are women, according to a statement by GIZ South Sudan on October 23, 2026.
Ramson Duku, an agricultural adviser with GIZ, said the support was intended to strengthen household incomes and improve livelihoods.
“This support is intended to provide beneficiaries with practical tools that can contribute to increased household income and improved resilience. We encourage beneficiaries to take ownership of the equipment, maintain it properly, and use it sustainably for the benefit of their families and communities,” he said.
The beneficiaries welcomed the equipment, saying it would improve productivity, reduce processing costs, and create income-earning opportunities.
Yei River County in Central Equatoria State and Magwi County in Eastern Equatoria State are important agricultural areas in South Sudan, where farming provides livelihoods for many households.
Magwi lies within the country’s greenbelt, a major food-producing region, where the majority of households engage in farming, growing crops including cassava, maize, sorghum, beans and groundnuts.
Yei also has significant agricultural potential, with farmers cultivating maize, cassava, sorghum, beans and groundnuts. However, years of insecurity have disrupted farming activities and reduced agricultural production in the county.
GIZ said it would provide follow-up support to promote the effective and sustainable use of the machines.
The handover is part of the Improved Living Conditions and Psychosocial Support (ILiPS) project, which GIZ implements on behalf of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The project supports returnees, internally displaced people, and host communities to increase agricultural production, improve food security, and expand livelihood opportunities.
It also provides agricultural extension services, training, and technical assistance to promote climate-smart farming, alongside support to improve access to psychosocial services.