The newly installed grinding mills in Nzara County of Western Equatoria State have been tipped to meet the country’s growing demand for high-quality flour.
This was said on Thursday by Alexander Fernando, the Regional Director of International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) during launch ceremony of the grinding mills held in Nzara County.
“The introduction of the production of the maize flour in Western Equatoria State is a great move towards advancing sustainable agriculture,” said Fernando.
“The mandate is to support those with a business idea, and who want to improve their livelihood. I am very grateful for coming to Yambio and Nzara to witness this excellent work done by the cooperative unions,” added Fernando.
Eden Multi-purpose Marketing Cooperative in Yambio and Farmers’ Cooperative Union in Nzara with support from 2SCALE Program launched the first ever production and sale of home-made grinding mills to respond to local consumer demands.
Simon Arkangelo, one of the retailers in Yambio market, said that he no longer pays for transport cost and tariffs due to the presence of these the grinding mills.
Arkangelo previously sold flour imported from neighboring countries.
“We even get the flour from the processors without cash payment, but pay them later after sales while they keep their profits, this arrangement is helping small retailers grow this is because the flour is produced here in Yambio,” he said.
Alana Sebit Owot, the partnership facilitator for 2SCALE South Sudan, said they are aiming to accelerate inclusive business development in African Agro-food systems.
Owot said they are supporting small medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop partnership models that have potential for scaling agribusiness.
James Abdallah Arona, the State Acting Minister of Cooperatives and Rural Development lauded the farmers’ cooperative union and partners for this iniative aimed at alleviating food insecurity in the country.
“I am happy and I want to welcome the efforts of farmers’ union for this good initiative, I also want to appreciate 2SCALE for great support to these cooperatives. It is not easy for us to reach to this level because I know in the 1970’s our people from Southern Sudan migrated to the north to look for jobs, and most of the goods were produced in the north but now we have our local industry in South Sudan,” said Arona.
