South Sudanese youth and women improve their agribusinesses
Youth and women entrepreneurs have been enhancing their production in the South Sudanese fruits and vegetables sector. The International Trade Centre is supporting them with trainings, access to financing opportunities, and trade fairs.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) is implementing the South Sudan Jobs Creation and Trade Development project from September 2020 to August 2024.
This project aims to help South Sudan towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.
As the project enters its final year of implementation, several activities are being conducted to meet its objectives. Some recent highlights include:
August 2023
- 189 progressive fruits and vegetables farmers across many project locations were identified. Locations included Jebel Ladu, Juba Nabari, Lokiliri, Luri and Rajaf. This process has allowed ITC to provide more focused support.
- 196 producers (including 85 women and 96 youths) were given practical training sessions. In these sessions, the producers learned about improving agronomic techniques related to land preparation, crop management, pest and disease control, and packing and sorting products.
September 2023
- 19 new beneficiaries received loans as a result of their new access to finance. This brings the total number of beneficiaries to 42, amounting to a total loan value of SSP 12,150,000.
- A directory of women-led businesses in the fruits and vegetables sector was developed in collaboration with the South Sudan Women Entrepreneurs Association (SSWEA), the Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE), and the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA).
October 2023
- The Fruits and Vegetables trade fair was held on 19 October at Madan Zahra Ground in Juba. This was the eighth fair of its kind under the theme of ‘Buy from South Sudan’. 20 producers exhibited produce from their farms, and made cumulative sales of SSP 856,500.
19 October 2023, Juba, South Sudan. Bananas were among the products on display at the trade fair.Photo by ITC
About the Project
The International Trade Centre’s South Sudan Jobs Creation and Trade Development project aims to increase the competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and employment opportunities for the South Sudanese population engaged in the fruit and vegetable subsector.
The European Union-funded project contributes to addressing the value addition, competitiveness, job creation and trade development challenges of South Sudan. Specifically, the interventions of the project are expected to improve productive capacities and compliance to standards for MSMEs, increase market linkages for MSMEs and enhance employability and entrepreneurship capacity for the South Sudanese labour force, focussing on youth and women.
