The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of South Sudan today launched a US$41.8 million project aimed at strengthening food security, building resilience and improving rural livelihoods for more than 110,000 people across the country.
The project, known as the Sustainable Agriculture Development Project (SADEP), will provide a major investment in building long-term resilience and addressing the root causes of fragility through increased agricultural productivity, food security, resilience to climate shocks and reinforcing rural institutions.
“SADEP advances climate-resilient food systems, strengthens livelihoods in fragile settings, and places rural communities at the centre. In a context like South Sudan, sustained and predictable financing is essential to translate these gains into long-term stability and food security,” said Caroline Mwongera, IFAD Country Director in South Sudan.
SADEP will focus on developing climate-resilient and sustainable sorghum and fisheries value chains, reducing post-harvest losses, and expanding access to markets, finance, and agricultural services. In the fisheries sector, the Government aims to position South Sudan as a fish-exporting country by 2027 by promoting sustainable practices and modern fish production technologies to achieve an annual production target of 200,000 tonnes. The project will support this goal by rehabilitating key fisheries infrastructure, including ice plants, landing sites, and storage facilities.
The project will target high-poverty and high-vulnerability areas, with a particular focus on women, youth, and other vulnerable groups, through a community-driven approach that promotes local ownership and social cohesion.
In addition, the project will support approximately 18,700 households by improving nutrition through a government-led initiative to provide nutrient-dense crops to farmers and strengthening natural resource management. It will also enhance the capacity of national and local institutions through technical training on seed and fish handling, supporting the development and implementation of policies and frameworks that enhance climate resilience, investing in rural infrastructure improvements, and expanding extension services and market access.
“This project advances our national priorities to transition from humanitarian dependence to resilient and productive food systems. In partnership with IFAD, SADEP will empower farmers, fishers, women, and youth to strengthen livelihoods, with a clear commitment to scale results nationwide,” said Onyoti Adigo Nyikwec, Minister of Livestock and Fisheries of the Republic of South Sudan.
