Semi-Annual Report: October 1, 2011 - March 31, 2012

These FBOs comprise 6,795 members, representing a substantial increase in the project's reach. The project has also successfully shifted its operations from Budi County to Torit County in Eastern Equatoria State, due to security concerns in the former location. In Component 1, the FARM Project has completed yield assessments for the first and second harvests, demonstrating that farmers who received improved maize seed varieties achieved higher yields than in the baseline. However, there is still potential for yield expansion, prompting the project to conduct 5,886 on-farm demonstration trials across the three states. These trials aim to introduce farmers to hybrid seed and fertilizer, as well as support the adoption of better agronomic practices. The on-farm demonstration trials are being carried out in conjunction with the Alliance for Green Revolution for Africa (AGRA) and the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC). The project has also undertaken assessments of service providers across the three states, preparing for the upcoming land preparation activity. This year, ox-plows and four-wheel tractors are being considered, with a focus on areas with low service provision. The FARM Project is piloting two-wheel tractors in these areas to improve land preparation efficiency. In Component 2, the project has successfully organized the first agricultural trade fair in South Sudan, bringing together commodity buyers and farmers-based organizations. Market assessments have been conducted to identify opportunities for trade and market linkage facilitation. The project has also linked commodity buyers to farmers-based organizations, facilitating trade and improving market access for farmers. In Component 3, the project has focused on capacity building, training farmers and extension agents on improved technologies and management practices. The Training of Trainers model has been used to train extension agents, who in turn train farmers on improved practices. The project has also facilitated the establishment of farmer-based organizations, providing training and support to help them become more effective and sustainable. The FARM Project has made significant progress in all three technical components, expanding its beneficiary base, improving agricultural productivity, and enhancing market access for farmers. The project's focus on capacity building has helped to strengthen the capacity of farmers and extension agents, enabling them to adopt improved technologies and management practices.