ReliefWeb

Objective

Contribute to raising awareness of fall armyworm (FAW) across South Sudan and establish surveillance and monitoring systems to track the pest’s spread and impact. The project also focused on increasing the resilience of particularly vulnerable households by providing alternative livelihood options, comprising relevant inputs and training.

Key partners

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of South Sudan (MAFS) and the World Food Programme.

Beneficiaries reached

18 000 households.

Activities implemented

• Organized national and state-level FAW steering committees to inform, coordinate and support key stakeholders.
• Trained 506 trainers from MAFS, academia and NGOs across South Sudan on FAW identification, monitoring, impact assessment and integrated management options.
• Partnered with media outlets, in particular community radio networks, to conduct interactive FAW awareness-raising campaigns.
• Trained 84 extension workers and technicians from county agricultural departments to serve as village-level FAW facilitators.
• Produced and distributed periodic reports on FAW management, impact and control.
• Assessed the spread and impact of FAW damage and procured crop packages comprised of 5 kg of cowpea seeds, 5 kg of maize, 5 kg of sorghum and one agricultural tool, to be delivered among 18 000 FAW-affected households.
• FAW taskforce of Food Security and Livelihood Cluster partners incorporated into the national high-level FAW taskforce.
• Distributed 220 tablet devices featuring FAO monitoring and early warning system application to village facilitators and extension agents.
• Developed a five-year National Strategy and a Strategic Action Plan for FAW management in South Sudan.

Impact

• Strengthened capacities, raised awareness and laid the foundations for harmonized data collection on FAW impact and effective management practices.
• Mainstreamed FAW reporting into harvest assessments.
• Enhanced long-term planning for FAW management in South Sudan.
• Safeguarded food security and improved crop variation for 18 000 households.
• Raised awareness of FAW monitoring and early warning systems for 220 beneficiaries.