Ajak stands in his thriving sorghum field, where FAO’s support has helped him achieve a better harvest. ©Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security/Anthony Ochan.

In South Sudan’s Melut County, where farmers face challenges such as flooding and food insecurity, resilience is a necessity. Ajak Dau Ayiet, a 48-year-old farmer from Mabil village, exemplifies this in practice. As an agro-pastoralist supporting a family of six, Ajak's days were once consumed with tending to his sorghum field of three feddans (approximately 3 acres) and a small herd of goats and cattle, while his wife managed the household. Despite his efforts, hunger loomed large, with the family surviving on limited meals supplemented by wild foods.

“Before attending training on good agricultural practices, I was struggling to produce high yields. My farm was plagued with pests and diseases,” Ajak recalls. The recent floods further devastated his farm, submerging his fields and leaving him without sufficient food. With limited resources and knowledge, Ajak’s future seemed uncertain.

This narrative began to change when Ajak joined the Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods Project (RALP), an initiative funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and FAO in partnership with the National Rural Development Organization (NRDO).

Through the training provided by NRDO, Ajak, a member of the farmer’s seed group Matiwochin Mabil, learned transformative agricultural practices, including soil conservation, crop rotation, and integrated pest management. “After training in good agricultural practices, I was able to implement a crop rotation plan, incorporating legumes (groundnuts) to replenish nutrients and reduce erosion,” Ajak shares.

The training also fostered a sense of community among farmers . “The training brought us farmers together, and we share knowledge and resources. It’s exciting to see how we support each other and grow together,” Ajak says with pride.

By adopting integrated pest management strategies, Ajak embraced environmentally friendly methods that minimized pest damage while ensuring safer food for his family. The results were transformative. Ajak's sorghum yields increased by 35 percent, and his groundnut harvests improved significantly.

“Since attending the training, my sorghum yields have increased. I can now provide for my family and even sell surplus at the market,” Ajak reports. The additional income has allowed him to diversify his family's diet, including buying nutritious foods such as eggs and vegetables.

Ajak’s farm has become a beacon of hope for other farmers in Melut County, showcasing the power of knowledge and sustainable practices. Looking ahead, he aspires to adopt conservation agriculture techniques like minimal tillage and mulching to improve soil health and productivity further. However, challenges remain. “We need machinery for cultivation to increase the volume of production as our land is hard to till,” Ajak notes.

Despite these challenges, Ajak is optimistic. “I believe that in the next five to ten years, I will be able to supply food not only in Melut County but to other parts of South Sudan,” he declares.

Ajak’s story is a testament to the impact of the RALP project in empowering farmers to overcome adversity, increase agricultural productivity, and foster food security. With continued support, farmers like Ajak are fostering a more resilient future.