MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: UNIDO Incubates Agro-processing Training Center, Moving Groundnut, Sesame Farmers Up Oils Value Chain in South Sudan

The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) recently handed over a program for developing agricultural value chains to local managers in South Sudan. Since its launch in 2019, 250 farmers in the country have enrolled, learning entrepreneurship skills and how to process groundnuts and sesame seeds into oils. The program, which had financial backing from the government of Japan, trained both “internally displaced people and members of host communities.” It was carried out in partnership with the South Sudan Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Eastern African Community Affairs.

Upon transfer of the program, Japan’s Ambassador-designate Naohiro Tsutumi expressed hope that the government of South Sudan will build on the program’s success, including by reaching out to women so they can capitalize on “the country’s rich agriculture.”

UNIDO was established in 1985 and became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1996 to promote “industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability.” As of December 2019, the organization had 170 member states and employed 671 staff members. That year, UNIDO had a budget of EUR 98.7 million (USD 84.1 million) and projects in 125 countries.

By Nathan Kiplagat, Research Associate

Sources and Additional Resources

UNIDO news release
https://www.unido.org/news/agricultural-value-chain-development-creates-income-generating-opportunities-south-sudan

UNIDO annual report 2019
https://www.unido.org/sites/default/files/files/2020-05/Annual%20Report%202019%20%28Eng%29.pdf

Government of South Sudan homepage
http://www.goss-online.org

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