County Store Aims to Cut Post Harvest Loss in Lainya County

(LAINYA COUNTY) – The Lainya County administration in Central Equatoria State has announced the completion of a county agricultural cooperative store, a move that signals growing attention to agriculture led recovery in South Sudan and practical support for small scale farmers who form the backbone of rural economies.

Commissioner Robert John Lasu Morris said the facility is now ready for use and is expected to address persistent market access challenges faced by farmers in the county. These challenges include limited places to sell produce, weak storage options and shortages of basic farm inputs, all of which have constrained production and incomes in recent seasons.

The cooperative store was built by the organisation ACROSS working in partnership with Christian Blind Mission, with funding provided by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. County officials described the project as a targeted investment aimed at strengthening local supply chains and improving the flow of agricultural goods within Lainya County.

Under the cooperative model, farmers will have a central location to sell crops and obtain essential inputs such as seeds and tools. Local authorities expect this to reduce post harvest losses and transport costs, while encouraging more regular trading within the county rather than relying on distant markets.

For households that depend largely on farming, the store is expected to support more stable incomes by improving price transparency and enabling farmers to sell closer to home. Officials believe this will have a wider economic effect, as increased farm earnings tend to circulate through local businesses and services.

Development partners involved in the project noted that cooperative systems help farmers work collectively, share resources and improve their negotiating position. They added that the store is designed as a shared community asset that encourages cooperation and more predictable production patterns.

The county press unit said the initiative aligns with national efforts to position agriculture as a key pillar of economic recovery in South Sudan. In rural counties such as Lainya, where farming is the primary source of livelihoods and food security, modest infrastructure investments can have an outsized impact on resilience and growth.

While the official opening date has not yet been announced, the county administration said details of the launch ceremony will be communicated soon. Residents and farming groups have been encouraged to follow updates through county channels and local media.

Overview of the Cooperative Store Project