“We’ve saved over 2 million SSP, and we’re just getting started”
Aleyo Martin, Magwi County
In Magwi County, South Sudan Aleyo Martin, 30, reflects on the progress her farmers’ group has made since joining a Village Savings and Loan Association under the RURALSS project.
“The savings have really helped us,” she says. “We’ve raised more than 2 million South Sudanese Pounds (about USD 442). It’s not yet our target - we want to reach 5 million - but we’re moving forward.”
The Village Savings and Loan Association has given Aleyo and her peers more than just savings - it has brought them confidence and control over their finances. For many women like her, this allow to become active agents of change in their communities.
“What AVSI taught us changed how we farm”
Abalo Rose, Magwi County
In the nearby village of Agulu, 36-year-old Abalo Rose now uses dry grass and mulching to protect her tomatoes and onions from heat stress - something she hadn’t tried before receiving training from AVSI. “I didn’t know how to improve yields or deal with poor soil,” she admits. “But now I do.”
With access to agricultural extension services, Abalo and other women farmers are adopting new techniques that improve both their harvests, household nutrition and income, allowing them to plan for more secure futures.
“We now dig in one day what used to take weeks”
Amer Acouth, Cueibet County
In Lakes State, Amer Acouth, a 45-year-old mother and member of the Dietic group, proudly shares how ox-plough technology has transformed her farming. “We used to hoe hectares of land by hand. Now, with oxen, we can do it in just one day,” she says. With additional support in the form of climate-resilient seeds and training, Amer and her group have significantly increased their crop yields - particularly groundnuts - improving both income and food supply for their families.
Context: food insecurity and climateshocks in South Sudan
South Sudan continues to face multiple overlapping crises: climate shocks, economic instability, and sub-national conflict all contribute to widespread food insecurity. According to the latest IPC data, 7.7 million people - 57% of the population - are experiencing acute food insecurity. The need for long-term, community-led solutions has never been more urgent
About the RURALSS project
AVSI, with funding from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is implementing the Rural Upgrade of Resilience of Agribusiness and Livelihoods in South Sudan (RURALSS) project in Eastern Equatoria and Lakes States. The initiative aims to strengthen food security, build community resilience to climate change, and support economic empowerment.
RURALSS project provides a comprehensive package of support that includes:
- Climate-smart agriculture: Training farmers in sustainable, climate-resilient techniques to increase productivity and adapt to environmental stressors.
- Nutrition education: Promoting dietary diversity and healthy practices through school clubs, screenings, and community sessions.
- Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA): Helping farmers - especially women - save money, access microloans, and invest in income-generating activities.
- Mechanization support: Introducing ox-ploughs to reduce labor intensity and expand cultivated land.
- Women’s empowerment: Encouraging female leadership and decision-making in farmers’ groups and cooperatives.
Key Achievements So Far (2023–2024)
- 1,352 farmers trained (806 women and 546 men) in climate-smart and nutrition-sensitive agriculture
- USD 32,251 saved by VSLA groups, with 86% of groups still active
- 2,612 people reached with community nutrition education
- 1,119 pupils engaged through school nutrition clubs across 18 schools
- 16,607 individuals screened for malnutrition, with 1,970 referred for nutritional support
- 135 community nutrition volunteers trained and equipped
The RURALSS project is not just about short-term relief - it’s about laying the foundation for lasting change. With every new practice learned and every shilling saved, farmers in South Sudan are building resilience from the ground up.
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