Josephine Garebere's journey to agricultural empowerment
In rural South Sudan, the impact of economic decline, climatic shocks, and conflicts runs deep. For smallholder farmers like Josephine Garebere, these stresses are compounded by shortages of quality seeds, pest infestations, and the relentless uncertainty of conflict. Yet, amidst the adversity, hope blossomed with the arrival of the Government of the Netherlands-funded Food and Nutrition Security Resilience Programme (FNS-REPRO), which provided a lifeline to her struggling community.
Josephine’s foray into farming in 2018 was not without its challenges. Unreliable seed quality sourced from nearby counties often failed to germinate, posing a significant hurdle. However, the seed multiplication activities undertaken under FNS-REPRO changed the game. Josephine and her fellow farmers received high-quality maize, sorghum, and cowpeas seeds that germinated well. Equipped with new knowledge and techniques from comprehensive training, Josephine cultivated her crops with precision and care. From seed selection to planting, weeding, harvesting, and storage, she embraced modern farming practices that maximized yields and minimized losses. With FNS-REPRO's support, Josephine was linked to a private seed company in Yambio (Pro-seed Company Limited) to engage in the production of foundation seed (a higher class of seeds) as a seed out-grower for the company. This arrangement provided her with a ready market for her high-quality seeds, which sold at a better price, significantly improving her livelihood.
“There is a great difference in the quality of seeds; for instance, the maize cobs we harvested are longer and have bigger seeds than before, which were short and small,” notes Josephine. “The new seedlings have high yields, especially when planted in rows, giving us enough for seeds, our food, and selling the rest within the community for other basic needs, like school fees and others”, she narrates.
But challenges persisted. Pest infestations threatened newly planted seedlings, prompting Josephine to innovate with solutions like ash powder to deter worms. The absence of machinery hindered efficiency, highlighting the need for future assistance in mechanization to enhance productivity further. Josephine comments, “In Western Equatoria, we can only use hoes because we have no machinery for farming. It's especially challenging when farming a virgin plot because of the nature of the soil and many trees. Our hope is that we can get some assistance with mechanical inputs,” she adds
Josephine's journey is a powerful testament to the transformative power of sustainable agriculture. Despite facing numerous challenges, she did not lose hope. Through FNS-REPRO, she discovered new possibilities, gaining the means to nourish her fields, family, and aspirations for a better future. She expresses deep gratitude to FAO and the Government of the Netherlands for their unwavering support, as their investment in agricultural resilience has brought about significant changes in people's lives and fostered hope. Her journey is a shining example of how agriculture can foster resilience, empowerment, and nourishment for all. Her unwavering courage and determination have initiated positive changes that will continue to thrive for generations to come, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.
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