South Sudan possesses vast agricultural potential, yet farming remains largely traditional, relying heavily on subsistence methods and rainfall patterns. This dependence on basic farming techniques has resulted in low agricultural production across the country, limiting farming to subsistence-level activity that barely meets family consumption needs, with little to no surplus for market sale.
The lack of agricultural education among communities has contributed to widespread food insecurity and vulnerability to hunger throughout the country.
AVSI Foundation continues its efforts to create sustainable solutions to food security in schools by establishing school gardens. These gardens enable schools to produce their own food, serving multiple purposes:
Annet, a student at St. Mary Primary School, shares: The school garden is very important to us because it provides our food. Learners need to eat to gain the physical strength to carry them through the day. It also helps us with nutrition because we can vary our diet.
Praxides, a teacher at St. Mary Primary School, explains: The school garden has improved the students' diet by providing vitamins from vegetables. We teachers have also benefited, as we get our food from there too. Previously, students depended mainly on sorghum, but since the garden started, it has improved the learners' health through diverse food options.
Schools in South Sudan are uniquely positioned to initiate community change. School gardens serve as powerful tools to teach students about nutrition and environmental stewardship while providing healthy meals. In food-insecure regions, these benefits extend beyond the school, contributing to broader food security.
AVSI Foundation incorporates school gardens into its school meals and resilience program. The initiative aims to teach children basic agricultural skills and nutrition knowledge, representing a vital investment in students' futures.
Through this project, AVSI Foundation has provided comprehensive support to seven schools in Kapoeta North County, including the distribution of seeds, tools, and seedlings to enhance school garden initiatives.
As an international NGO, AVSI Foundation plays a pivotal role as a member of the South Sudan Education Cluster and co-leads the Education Cluster in Eastern Equatoria State, implementing comprehensive educational projects to promote inclusive and quality education across the country.
