(JUBA) – Agribusiness stakeholders have commended the 2SCALE Incubator programme for its role in transforming South Sudan’s food systems and strengthening resilience in the agricultural sector. Farmers, processors, entrepreneurs and policymakers recently gathered at the Pyramid Continental Hotel in Juba for an event under the theme “Cultivating Equity: Building Resilient and Inclusive Agribusiness Ecosystems in South Sudan.”
The event was organised by the Incubator Agribusiness Club of the 2SCALE programme and focused on how collaboration across the agricultural value chain is helping to reshape the country’s food system. The sector continues to face food insecurity and economic challenges, but participants said new models of cooperation are showing promise.
Nancy Lumeit, the Chief Executive Officer of the South Sudan Agribusiness Producers Union (SSAPU), noted that while billions of South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) have been invested in agriculture over the years, many initiatives collapsed once donor support ended.
“When donor projects phase out, farmers are often left abandoned. As SSAPU, we take it upon ourselves to sustain what has been built,” Lumeit said. “Our farmers cannot be left behind once funding dries up. We ensure continuity, linkages and resilience.”
Through its partnership with programmes like 2SCALE, SSAPU has become a key link between smallholder farmers and larger markets, working to make gains sustainable even after donor funding is withdrawn.
At the heart of the initiative is the Incubator Agribusiness Club, a platform that brings together seed companies, processors, financial institutions, farmer cooperatives and government officials. According to 2SCALE’s Country Team Leader, Alana Sebit, the Club embodies the principles of inclusive agribusiness.
“We call it inclusive agribusiness because it is about equity, resilience and shared value,” Sebit explained. “Farmers, women, youth and entrepreneurs all deserve a place at the table.”
One of the success stories celebrated during the event was Kanybek Company, a local South Sudanese processor producing affordable flour by blending maize with wheat. The company previously relied on imports from Uganda and Kenya, but now sources maize directly from farmer cooperatives in Western Equatoria. This has created a more sustainable supply chain that benefits both local producers and consumers.
“This is what inclusivity looks like,” Sebit said. “A local company, sourcing from local farmers, and producing for South Sudanese families.”
Other groups recognised included Eden Multipurpose Marketing and Cooperative Society from Yambio and the Nzara County Farmers Union, both of which have added value to maize by processing it into ready to eat flour.
Mary Benjamin Loki, Director General in the Ministry of Agriculture, praised the Incubator Agribusiness Club for providing practical solutions to food insecurity. She highlighted that nearly 80 per cent of agricultural labour in South Sudan is contributed by women, yet many still lack financial support.
“Farmers are the backbone of our food systems, yet they struggle without support,” Loki said. “Agriculture is not only the role of government. It is our shared responsibility.”
She encouraged banks and financial institutions to increase their support to farmers, especially women and young people who are beginning to move from subsistence farming into commercial agribusiness.
Participants agreed that women and youth are central to the Club’s vision. Many women are transitioning into agribusiness, while young people are increasingly viewing farming as a business opportunity rather than a survival activity.
“Equity means ensuring no one is left behind,” Lumeit emphasised. “Our farmers, especially women and youth, deserve recognition and support as entrepreneurs.”
The gathering was described by participants not simply as a workshop, but as the beginning of a movement to build resilience in South Sudan’s agricultural sector.
“This is not about 2SCALE,” Sebit concluded. “It is about how we build a resilient agribusiness ecosystem in South Sudan, together.”
South Sudan Farmers Hail Agribusiness Incubator Initiative
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Inclusive Agribusiness Workshop |
| Location | Pyramid Continental Hotel, Juba |
| Organiser | 2SCALE Incubator Agribusiness Club |
| Theme | Cultivating Equity: Building Resilient and Inclusive Agribusiness Ecosystems |
| Key Stakeholders | Farmers, processors, entrepreneurs, policymakers |
| Highlighted Success | Kanybek Company (local flour processor sourcing maize from Western Equatoria) |
| Other Groups Recognised | Eden Multipurpose Cooperative (Yambio), Nzara County Farmers Union |
| Major Issues Raised | Donor dependency, women’s limited access to finance |
| Notable Remarks | Women contribute 80% of labour in agriculture |
| Broader Goal | Building resilience and sustainability in South Sudan’s food system |
