Naandi farmers complete training on food security, commercial farming
By Emmanuel Mandela
At least 25 members from a farming group in Naandi of Ezo County, Western Equatoria State, have concluded a five-day training on food security and commercial farming.
The training that focused on increasing food production was organized by the Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CODEP), in partnership with SCIAF.
The initiative is part of the ongoing project titled “Improved Food Security through Sustainable Livelihood and Resilience Program. It aimed at transforming subsistence farming into commercial agriculture.
“We’re not just teaching farming, we’re planting seeds of self-reliance and peace, with 15 participants,” said Mr. Gibson Camilo Bakuyo, Program Manager for CODEP.
“Last year, we had expanded to 25 this year, including 13 females, 9 males, and 3 persons with special needs. These trainers will go back and train others in their communities because Naandi is vast and food security begins with knowledge-sharing,” Camilo explained.
The training focused on agro-ecological practices and modern technology transfers, and it will be followed by the establishment of demonstration farms in Naandi, Riirangu, and Gitikiri across Yambio and Nzara Counties.
In his closing ceremony, Consantino Babitimo, Director of Agriculture in the State Ministry of Agriculture, lauded the Naandi community for its stability.
“Our goal is to move farmers from producing just to feed themselves, to producing for the market,” he stated.
Fr. Mizeredi Simon, the Parish Priest of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Parish in Naindi, said that in the beginning, God gave man control over the Garden of Eden.
“God gave Adam and Eve the Garden of Eden. What ruins our potential today is the fruit of laziness. But you have chosen to work hard,” he said.
He called on CODEP to provide certificates to the TOTs for future credibility and recognition in the Community.
For his part, Mr. Santo Juma Boroyo, Naindi Payam Administrator, hailed the collaboration between the Church and local government in building peace at all levels.
“This training is a true reflection of Dr. John Garang’s vision of taking town to the village,” he said.
He urged each trainer to train at least five more households and declared that idle individuals in the county would face consequences.
“Naindi must lead in food production,” he emphasized, pledging land allocation to support vulnerable farmers.
One of the participants, Madeline Hakim, said, “Before this, I was just farming for survival, now I know how to make my farm profitable and help others too.”
Mr. Peter Kutiyote, another participant with a disability, shared his optimism, lamenting that, “This training has given me confidence. Disability doesn’t mean inability.”
“I am going to teach others and make a change in my community and my family as well,” he said.
