CRS GUIDING PRINCIPLES Agriculture Established in 1943, CRS is engaged in humanitarian relief and development Programming efforts in nearly 100 countries in throughout the world. We strive to assist impoverished and disadvantaged people CRS’ strategy overseas, promoting the sacredness of to support human life and the dignity of the human agriculture in South Sudan person. CRS acts to:

• promote human development by responding to major emergencies, Contact fighting disease and poverty, and South Sudan nurturing peaceful and just societies Country Representative: Andrew Rosauer Catholic Relief Services (CRS) • serve Catholics in the United States Palica, Hai Jerusalem as they live their faith in solidarity , South Sudan with their brothers and sisters Email: [email protected] around the world Headquarters Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Although our mission is rooted in the 228 W. Lexington Street Baltimore, MD 21201-3443 USA Catholic faith, our operations serve Cover photo: A farmer in County shows the maize she brought to sell people based solely on need, regardless at Ikotos Seed Fair. Torrey Peace/CRS Inside left: A farner in Amika, Eastern State. Karen Kasmauski/ CRS of their race, religion Inside center: Vulnerable farmers impacted by natural disasters in Imotong, , proudly carry their newly purchased local seeds. Torrey or ethnicity. Peace/CRS Inside right: Ag extension worker negotiates the selling price of beans with a group of buyers and sellers in Ikotos Seed Fair. Torrey Peace/CRS Back cover: Teresa Acen (left) and Laker Santa in Amika, County, use a new CRS drilled borehole. Karen Kasmauski/CRS Copyright 2013 CRS CRS Globally Agriculture Innovations: Seed Voucher Fairs CRS’ agriculture programs focus on improving the lives of smallholder farmers, both women and men, in CRS seed voucher fairs are unique because they 34 countries worldwide. We work with farmers using facilitate the local purchase and sale of indigenous participatory methods, to enhance their productivity, seeds and tools, creating a market in which farmers improve their profitability in ways that also promote with a surplus can sell to those in need. In previous sustainable agricultural strategies. CRS works mainly years, CRS has imported more than 150 tons through our local partner organizations, to help farmers of seeds from Kenya and to help South learn new skills and gain access to new agricultural Sudanese farmers recover from displacement and technologies. We also aim to provide sustainable disasters. development pathways out of poverty by linking farmers Through the seed fair approach, CRS is now with local business service providers. facilitating the purchase of seeds and tools locally. South Sudan Overview The first fairs were conducted in 2001 at multiple locations in Rumbek County, Lakes Region, Bahr CRS has been operational in South Sudan since Our program Portfolio el Ghazal, Labone, Ikotos, and corridors 1983, focusing on building community-based food Donor: European Community through UNDP in as well as in southern Bor and livelihood security through activities in agriculture, Recovery and Rehabilitation Project County, Jonglei. health, peace building, water and sanitation, and 2006-2009 savings and lending. CRS also helps strengthen local Accomplishments Working with local partners, CRS was able to NGOs and communities. The agency has staff in conduct fairs in current operational areas as well • Distributed tools and improved seeds to 7,575 South Sudan as well as in Nairobi, where a technical farmers as locations where the agency does not currently team works on issues of food and livelihoods security • Constructed two market structures operate. throughout the region. • Constructed three markets and three structures for storing bulk Twelve fairs were implemented in South Sudan in Goals of our Agriculture Program • Facilitated 42 women’s savings groups 2010, with the following results: • Engage vulnerable communities to meet their long- (saved total of $5,740) term food security and livelihood needs • Trained 420 people in peacebuilding • Facilitated the purchase of 104 tons of seed • Foster sustainable socio-economic development worth $23,350 from local farmers Donor: CRS-led consortium Food Security • Mobilized 1,181 local seed sellers (50% women) • Promote practices that link production to Thematic Program 2010-2013 conservation, using local sources where available • Met the seed needs of 4,037 vulnerable • Build capacity of local government extension workers Accomplishments households and partners to provide high quality services to • Distributed improved seeds and tools to 2,832 farmers farming households (85% women) • Trained eight agriculture extension agents in basic agriculture • Gave improved planting materials for root crops to 900 farmers • Helped 862 farming households acquire skills in post-harvest management • Taught adults in 134 households to read and write • Established 17 beekeeping farmers for colonization