Southern Sudan is endowed with vast agriculturally productive land, rich soils, abundant water supplies, and a favourable climate. However, the lasting effects of decades of civil wars primarily fought in what is now Southern Sudan have negatively impacted the general welfare and quality of life of South Sudanese citizens and prevented people from engaging in productive economic activities, especially agriculture. Even though more than 90% of those who live in rural areas—which make up more than 70% of the total population—rely on agriculture for livelihood, the agricultural practices used by these rural households result in low productivity that merely allows them to survive.
The use of high-quality inputs like improved seeds, inorganic fertilizers, and integrated pest control to manage plant diseases and pests, as well as mechanized farming and other modern farming techniques, are yet to be adopted in the country. This has led to low agricultural productivity in the face of rising food demand, making food insecurity a severe threat to Southern Sudan’s economy. In addition to food insecurity, Southern Sudan’s instability is exacerbated by a high rate of poverty and youth unemployment, which leaves the youth open to political influence, continue cycle of helplessness, war, and poverty.
The proposed agribusiness project will be managed by Ten Yams Investments (TYI). TYI ownership structure comprises of 90% shareholding by Dr. Emanuel Taban and other investors, 5% shareholding by the Dr. Emanuel Taban Foundation, and 5% by the Farmers Association. Both the Farmers Association and the Foundation will each have a directorship slot on the TYI board. Up to 50% of the project’s proceeds (net profit) will be reinvested in the Foundation to carry out other community-uplifting projects such as Loka Forest secondary school and technical college, Equatoria region, and entire South Sudan.