Women in Rejaf West, Juba County, have received farming and processing equipment aimed at helping them expand agricultural activities and generate income.
The equipment, including grain millers, water pumps and grinding-paste machines, was handed over on Friday by the Network of Empowered Women Peace Actors in South Sudan (NEWPASS), in partnership with the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) and UN Women.
The initiative is focused on increasing women’s participation in agriculture and supporting income-generating activities in the community.
Speaking during the handover, Nunu Diana Alison, Director General at the Central Equatoria State Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, urged the beneficiaries to use the equipment responsibly and ensure it benefits their families and communities.
She said women’s economic empowerment, particularly in rural areas, could help strengthen household livelihoods and participation in agriculture.
Diana also cautioned the beneficiaries against allowing the equipment to become a source of conflict among families or members of the groups receiving it.
NEWPASS Executive Director Blandine Loice said the latest support was part of the organisation’s wider efforts to strengthen agricultural activities among women across Central Equatoria State.
She said NEWPASS had previously provided two rickshaws each to farmers in Juba, Lainya, Morobo and Yei counties.
Loice described the new equipment as an investment in women’s businesses and agricultural production.
She also announced plans to provide capital grants to women in Rejaf West to enable them to start or expand businesses and farming activities.
Meanwhile, Lona Nyoka, Director General of Agriculture for Juba County, called for closer coordination between organisations working in Rejaf West and local authorities.
She said organisations intending to implement activities in the area should first seek approval from Juba County authorities.
Women leaders, chiefs, youth representatives and agricultural extension workers welcomed the initiative.
The beneficiaries are expected to use the equipment to support farming, food processing and small businesses, with the wider aim of improving household incomes and agricultural production in Rejaf West.
