Climate-smart agriculture is helping vulnerable families rebuild their livelihoods in Malakal, located in South Sudan, where communities are recovering from years of conflict and climate shocks.
In Makal boma of Malakal County, 43-year-old farmer Adwok Jud begins his day at sunrise, tending to rows of onions, tomatoes, kudra and sweet potatoes near the Nile River. For him, farming has become more than a source of income—it represents a path back to stability after years of hardship.
From trader to farmer after conflict
Before the 2013 crisis in South Sudan, Adwok was a successful trader in Malakal city, owning boats, cattle and a timber business. When violence broke out, he fled to Sudan, losing much of what he had built.
After returning home, he reopened a small shop and began farming with training support from humanitarian partners. However, severe floods last year destroyed his crops, forcing him to borrow money and sell assets to survive.
Climate-smart farming support
Through the Building Resilient Livelihoods to Climate Change (BRLC) project, funded by the Government of the Kingdom of Norway, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is supporting around 1,000 vulnerable households in Malakal to grow cereals, legumes and vegetables.
The initiative helps communities adapt to climate change by using flood and runoff water for irrigation, allowing year-round food production for household consumption and local markets. Farmer groups are also linked to fresh food voucher assistance programmes for households affected by malnutrition.
With training from FAO and its partner Golden Village, Adwok learned improved farming practices such as row planting, timely planting, efficient irrigation and crop rotation. These techniques have helped improve soil health and productivity.
Higher yields and increased income
This season, Adwok expects to harvest about 13 sacks of onions, each weighing roughly 120 kilograms. He estimates his net income will exceed SSP 7 million (around USD 1,532), representing an 80 per cent increase compared to last year.
The additional income will allow him to buy food such as sorghum, meat, eggs and milk, pay school fees and purchase clothes for his children. With a family of 16 children—six sons and ten daughters—the improved earnings are expected to make a significant difference.
Building resilience for the future
Adwok hopes that within three to five years he can rebuild the business he lost during the conflict. For now, farming provides the foundation for saving and investing again.
Projects like BRLC are helping communities in Malakal transform vulnerability into opportunity by strengthening resilience to climate shocks while improving food security and incomes. At the same time, farmers’ efforts are helping ensure a steady supply of fresh and affordable food for families across the area.
