For South Sudan to gain long-term food security, agriculture needs to shift from subsistence to more commercially oriented farming. The South Sudan Livelihoods Development Project (SSLDP) is a six-year government project lead by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Animal Resources, Fisheries, Cooperatives and Rural Development.

Since 2010, SNV has been contracted by the government of South Sudan to implement the community development component in the Magwi and Torit counties, Eastern Equatoria State. SNV’s major role is to help guide farmer groups in the identification and selection of economic enterprises that can significantly develop their livelihoods. For example, SNV introduced the communities in the town of Arihilo Payam to growing cassava, a starchy tuber originating from South America. Furthermore, SNV enables members of the economic enterprise group realise their full potential for improved production and productivity.

The project represents the first collaborative arrangement between the newly Independent Government of the Republic of South Sudan, the International Fund for Agriculture Development and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands.