How Strengthening South Sudan’s Plant Health System Can Reduce Crop Losses
17 December 2024, Sudan: In countries like South Sudan, people feel the effects of climate change with greater intensity. For example, increased crop pest invasions. The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) damages key crops like maize and sorghum. And the papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) has inflicted extensive damage on crops, leading to a 91% reduction in papaya yields.
These factors and other political and social issues have resulted in 87% of South Sudan facing moderate to severe food insecurity. Agricultural productivity has also slowed, but 86% of rural households depend on farming.
Plant health systems in South Sudan
In addition to the threats to plant health, South Sudan lacks good-quality, clean planting materials. Diseases like cassava brown streak disease have spread through contaminated planting materials and cross-border movement of pests. Additionally, it has weak regulations for plant health and relies heavily on imported seeds, further exacerbating the problem.
One way to reduce crop loss is by strengthening plant health systems (PHS). CABI defines plant health systems as the extension, research, input suppliers, regulations, and institutions that manage pests and diseases.
Plant health systems began as early traditional knowledge and chemical-based management practices and evolved into agricultural extension services. Nowadays, plant health systems use integrated pest management, diagnostic tools, and information technology. They also involve collaborations across different disciplines, policies, and sustainability. These systems can address the challenges that impact plant health.
In a recent paper, CABI, alongside partners* from South Sudan and Kenya, analyzed South Sudan’s plant health system to determine its challenges, accomplishments, and effectiveness at farm-level.
Gathering stakeholder inputs
The analysis looked at how different functions of a PHS affect crop management practices. This research also allowed stakeholders to understand their investments in plant health systems on a farm level. The evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the plant health systems in South Sudan focused on identifying key areas for improvement, collaboration, learning, and adaptation.
The researchers designed the methodology to be policy-aware, as they conducted this study in a post-conflict and fragile country.
Three counties – Yei, Yambio and Juba were selected for the study. These counties are agriculturally significant and represent South Sudan’s challenges, such as food insecurity and pest issues. Their proximity to neighbouring countries also makes them strategically important. Additionally, these counties were accessible to the researchers and involved many plant health systems stakeholders.
The researchers reviewed documents, reports, and literature to show how plant health systems changed over time. They then collected data from 960 farmers through household surveys and key informant interviews. Plus, the team conducted focus group discussions and stakeholder workshops. This process ensured the inclusion of diverse perspectives.
Challenges to plant health
The analysis revealed that farmers in South Sudan had limited access to plant health services, specifically advisory and extension services, training, and information. Only 11% of farmers who participated in crop production had contact with extension offices, averaging twice a year. 37% of farmers contact NGOs or UN organisations, while state agricultural departments are used the least. Access to information on new crop pests and pest management training was also low.
77% of farmers who grew crops lost them in the next season. Crop pests were the most common cause. A portion of farmers said they do not use pest control methods at all; others rely on methods such as ash and neem. Those who used pesticides mentioned difficulty in accessing the chemicals and that these were very costly.
Responses varied between counties, representing differences in sociodemographic and living conditions. The varying types of crop production technologies that the counties used reflected this. As a whole, however, 67% of farmers used crop rotation, and 51% of respondents used row planting,
Limitations for plant health system functions
A diverse set of stakeholders validated the eight functions of South Sudan’s PHS at a workshop in June 2023:
- diagnostic services
- information management
- input supply
- advisory services
- policy and regulation
- research and technology development
- agricultural training
- crop production
These functions face certain limitations due to the state of PHS in South Sudan. As crop losses cause food insecurity, more research and technology are needed for sustainable practices. The spread of pests can also be prevented by different pest control methods, which advisory services, information management, and agricultural training can promote. Low accessibility is also an issue for extension services, training centres, and certified seeds. Farmers typically rely on seeds of questionable quality since these are cheaper, making crops more prone to pests and diseases.
Policy and regulations are also seen to be weak. There are gaps in provisions from the government since farmers do not use the agricultural departments often. Agro-dealers have the freedom to import and sell pesticides without restrictions. This can lead to potential risks from chemicals.
What do these findings mean for plant health systems in South Sudan?
Although stakeholders identified the weaknesses of plant health systems, they also pointed out strong aspects. Advisory and extension services have the potential to take up monitoring roles. Farmers also have a high rate of mobile phone usage, which can lead to better information sharing.
Many other opportunities exist for the PHS in South Sudan to improve, particularly in farmer advisory services, plant health information, and agricultural training functions. Government-led initiatives, sustainable practices, and access to services can also be further developed. South Sudan has considerable agricultural potential.
The authors suggest strengthening public extension services to make access to information more widespread. Additionally, taking into account the different socio-economic contexts of the counties is important when designing a PHS. This can be done through collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
Please reach out at info@krishakjagat.org, nimishgangrade@krishakjagat.org if you would like to share your company story or advertise in the upcoming issue of Global Agriculture magazine.
(For Latest Agriculture News & Updates, follow Krishak Jagat on Google News)
(+80 Million Farming Audience Visits Krishak Jagat’s Hindi Website – Click Here for Website)
