Fight famine with farming in South Sudan

Worsening floods in South Sudan are changing how we are approaching the coming season for fighting famine with farming.  October is usually the month we distribute seeds to the 1,000 farming households we currently work with.  However heavy rains, coupled with flood water released from Lake Victoria in Uganda, has severely impacted the region where we work. 

Entire villages are under water.  Thousands of people have had to abandon their homes and move to higher ground.  For many, this means it won’t be a growing season as usual. 

Alaska Health Project South Sudan has assessed 250 households who can continue to plant within their small compounds.  That’s great news.  These farmers should be able to plant in October and begin harvests near the end of 2024. 

For a larger number of farmers, we will have to innovate.  More precisely, use the methods many people around the world already use in flood prone areas.  One of the approaches is floating gardens. 

Floating gardens are essentially raised garden beds made on top of native plants that already float in the marshland of South Sudan.   These gardens can produce almost all the vegetables local farmers currently grow.  Our agriculture team is familiar with how to do it.  Now we will begin the training.

We also intend on looking beyond the current region where we work.  Flood refugees are seeking higher ground.  We will visit these areas and when appropriate provide seeds, tools and training.  It’s so important that our fight to prevent famine continues without delay.   Your gifts for this project will help us.  Your giving has already provided fresh fruits and vegetables for thousands of people.  Despite the floods we see a successful harvest on the horizon.  Thank you for your support.

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