Accelerating Agriculture and Agribusiness in South Sudan for Enhanced Economic Development (A3-SEED): 2022 Annual Narrative Report
| Author | IFDC | |
| Jurisdiction: | South Sudan | |
| Date of acession | 2023-05-08T09:00:50Z | |
| Date of availability | 2023-05-08T09:00:50Z | |
| Date of issue | 2023-02-28 | |
| Abstract | The Accelerating Agriculture and Agribusiness in South Sudan for Enhanced Economic Development (A3-SEED) project, funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), is being implemented by the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) together with KIT Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) from December 2020 to November 2025. The project follows EKN’s Seed Sector Development for South Sudan (SSD4SS) project, implemented by AGRA, and targets four hubs of stability (Bor, Rumbek, Torit, and Yambio) as well as the outskirts of Juba. A3-SEED is working to develop a market-oriented seed sector by establishing a commercially viable and sustainable seed system in South Sudan. This way, the project ensures that farmers enjoy continued access to high-quality seed and agricultural advisory services offered closer to the production areas. A3-SEED works with seed companies, seed outgrowers, agro-dealers, and village agents in developing a complete seed value chain while creating businesses and jobs. Smallholder farmers remain the ultimate target by enhancing their access to quality seeds. A3-SEED also builds synergies with humanitarian programs in target areas to facilitate efficient seed distribution. A special focus is placed on returnee farmers who fled the country due to insecurity. The project is engaging with owners, employees of micro, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs), women, and youth who are engaged in quality seed production. In 2022, A3-SEED focused on active field project delivery. Ten seed companies were mobilized and fully engaged through a Co-Investment Grant to facilitate seed production, processing, and marketing. This report covers activities, outputs, achievements, and lessons learned during the second year of project implementation between January and December 2022. In alignment with the approved 2022 Annual Workplan and Budget, the project engaged in the following: • Mobilized 10 seed companies, working to increase their seed production capacities. • Mobilized and supported 32 agro-dealers, who will take seeds to the farmers through an established network of village agents. • Trained 27 extension workers and agronomists through a training of trainers (ToT) on quality seed production. • Trained 10 seed company marketing officers to enhance their business skills in seed sales, leading to the sales of 108.5 metric tons (mt) through the agro-dealer network. • Reached 7,303 smallholder farmers with extension services following group trainings and farmer field days organized on the demonstration plots and 5,000 during agricultural trade shows organized in Yei and Torit and World Food Day activities in Rumbek. • Produced about 4,500 mt of assorted seeds under a contract between seed outgrowers and seed companies. • Built the capacity of the Seed Trade Association of South Sudan (STASS). Membership increased from eight to 15 members. STASS costs covered through direct member contributions increased by 7%. • Established of two local chapters in Magwi and Yambio in collaboration with STASS. • Trained 21 seed inspectors and seven lab technicians on quality control in seed production to ensure quality seeds are produced by the seed companies. Seed tests are now done at the state and county levels. Several events have enabled A3-SEED to share experiences and learn from others in Africa and the region to fine-tune its prioritization of the most responsive programming interventions and partnerships. Some of these events made it possible for A3-SEED to give priority to interventions based on their ability to build synergies with existing EKN-funded projects (Food and Nutrition Security Resilience Program [FNS-REPRO] and Food Security through Agribusiness in South Sudan [FSABSS]) and explore the possibility for collaboration with public sector actors – local-, county-, and national-level government bodies supporting the seed sector and agricultural development. Other significant administrative milestones achieved during the first year of implementation include: • Staffing: A3-SEED has hired 100% of the staff required and has positioned hub coordinators in Yambio, Bor, Juba, Torit, and Magwi to ensure local presence and close interaction with existing projects and stakeholders at the field level. • Office Space: The project moved its office, but it remains within the same property and with the same landlord. The move was necessary because the full complement of staff was not able to fit in the previous space allocated for the office. • Logistics: The project obtained three vehicles that were field efficient with all-weather tyres. These vehicles, as well as additional hired cars, were able to facilitate staff travel to all field locations. • Finance/Budget: There were no significant changes in over- or underspends in the reporting period. • COVID-19: Many restrictions associated with COVID-19 were lifted. This has enabled easy travel and organization of field trainings, meetings, and workshops. However, the period also saw the emergence of conflicts between cattle keepers and crop farmers that have affected parts of Central Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria. | |
| URL | https://hub.ifdc.org/handle/20.500.14297/2138 | |
| Language | en_US | |
| Publisher | IFDC | |
| Subject | Seed production | |
| Subject | Agribusiness | |
| Title | Accelerating Agriculture and Agribusiness in South Sudan for Enhanced Economic Development (A3-SEED): 2022 Annual Narrative Report | |
| Type | Other |
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