Climate-Smart Farming Brings Hope for Food Security

In the heart of Mayendit County, where protracted conflict and seasonal floods have disrupted traditional livelihoods, farming is offering a pathway back to stability.

For 60-year-old Gany Jiech Yoach, a resident of Gier, Tutnyang Payam, the chance to rebuild his life came through an RSRTF-supported smart farming initiative that blends modern techniques with traditional resilience.

Participants in the RSRTF-backed smart farming initiative proudly showcase their new tools in a group photo taken in the field.

After attending a community awareness meeting at the RSRTF programme launch in October 2024, Gany became one of the first members of a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA).

Following training in group dynamics, savings, and financial literacy, he began saving with other community members.

In April 2025, seeking to expand his livelihood options, Gany joined the first cohort of farmers trained in climate-smart agricultural techniques.

Alongside others, he received tools and improved seeds for maize and rice production, and together they established two demonstration gardens in Mayendit.

Gany didn’t stop there. Using the tools provided, he opened a separate plot and fenced it himself. Despite sporadic rains, his maize crop flourished.

Gany stands proudly in his lush maize field under a bright, clear sky.

“I was supported with the necessary tools to clear the land and seeds for planting,” he explained. “My duty was to put up a fence to protect the farm from animals. I have worked hard to reach this far, hoping to get a bumper harvest that will sustain my family. I am grateful to RSRTF for this initiative.”

His garden quickly became a learning space for others—an example of how resilience-building starts from the ground up.

In a county where food insecurity remains high and many depend on aid, Gany’s efforts are a visible sign that sustainable farming can lead to self-reliance.

For communities in Mayendit, the demo farms are more than agricultural experiments—they are symbols of a hopeful future.

🌱 RSRTF’s Integrated Approach to Recovery

This intervention is part of a broader three-year Area Based Programme (ABP) launched by the Reconciliation, Stabilization and Resilience Trust Fund (RSRTF), targeting 42 payams in Mayendit, Leer, and Panyijiar counties.

By combining community-driven reconciliation, economic recovery, and resilience-building, the ABP partners led by World Relief and including , helps South Sudanese communities transition from dependence to development.

Gany’s journey is one of many stories emerging from RSRTF’s approach—where farming, savings groups, and second-chance education work hand-in-hand to restore dignity, productivity, and peace.

This work is made possible through RSRTF’s implementing partners and with generous contributions from its donors — Canada, European Union, Germany, South Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden —whose support is enabling communities across South Sudan to cultivate not just crops, but a future rooted in resilience and hope.