South Sudan Rural Enterprise Program Expands Support for Farmers, Food Security and Rural Businesses

JUBA, South Sudan — September 30, 2026

A major rural development program in South Sudan is expanding support for farmers, cooperatives and small businesses as the country seeks to strengthen food security, household incomes and access to agricultural finance.

The seven-year Rural Enterprises for Agricultural Development (READ) Project is implemented by South Sudan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Cooperative Bank of South Sudan, with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program.

According to a UNDP update published Wednesday, September 30, the project covers six counties — Aweil Center, Magwi, Yambio, Nzara, Maridi and Renk — and is targeting 27,511 rural households, representing more than 162,000 farmers, producers and entrepreneurs.

The program is designed to help rural households move from subsistence farming toward more productive and market-oriented agriculture. Its work includes improving agricultural production, connecting producers to markets and financial services, strengthening rural enterprises and helping communities withstand economic and environmental shocks.

Recent project figures show that 466 Rural Producer Organizations have been profiled, while training on governance and institutional skills has reached producers and cooperative leaders. The project has also profiled 154 rural financial institutions, including Village Savings and Loan Associations and Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations. Ninety new savings groups have been established.

Financial inclusion is another major part of the initiative. The Cooperative Bank of South Sudan has identified 22 potential banking agents across the project areas, with five already operating. The project is also preparing matching grants, loan products and a credit-guarantee facility intended to increase access to finance for rural enterprises.

Despite the progress, farmers participating in the program identified continuing challenges including inadequate water, pests, unpredictable weather, weak market connections, limited storage facilities and transportation difficulties.

The initiative comes as South Sudan's agriculture and food-security sector faces the wider challenge of increasing domestic production and reducing dependence on imported food. UNDP says South Sudan spends more than $800 million annually on food imports despite having substantial agricultural potential.

Project partners said their next priorities include completing a value-chain and market assessment and launching the first matching-grants cycle to support viable rural businesses.