In the heart of Tonj North, a groundbreaking agricultural project is transforming the lives of inmates at the local prison and redefining the concept of food security. What began as a desperate response to chronic malnutrition has evolved into a thriving, self-sustaining venture that benefits the prison community and the local market.
The journey began last year when the National Prison Service of South Sudan sounded the alarm on severe food shortages. Initially, they sought external assistance, requesting tools and resources to kick-start farming activities.
However, in a bold move, development partners, including the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), challenged the prison authorities to think differently. Rather than relying on external aid, they encouraged the prison to explore innovative solutions to address their food crisis.
This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a remarkable transformation. The prison authorities, empowered by the challenge, embarked on a journey of self-discovery and determination. With newfound resolve, they harnessed the skills and resources available within the prison to establish a thriving agricultural project.
Today, the project is a testament to the power of self-sufficiency and community-driven initiatives. The prison farm has become a beacon of hope, providing a reliable source of nutritious food for the inmates and generating income by selling surplus produce at the local market.
As the project continues to flourish, it serves as a shining example of the potential for innovation and resilience in adversity. Once struggling to survive on meagre rations, the inmates have become empowered stakeholders in their own rehabilitation, cultivating a sense of purpose and pride in their work.
The Tonj North agricultural project is more than just a success story – it’s a powerful reminder that even in the most challenging contexts, there lies the potential for transformation and growth. As the project continues to inspire and uplift the community, it stands as a beacon of hope for a brighter, more sustainable future.
Malual Deng, one of the people receiving this gentle pushback, recalls that moment very well.
“Their advice was crystal clear,” said Deng. “They told us: ‘You have to take the first steps, then we will see how that goes and how we can support you.’ I guess we were all surprised at first, but then we felt motivated to take on the challenge.”
Captain Gabriel Goum, who oversees the now flourishing project in Warrap Town, fondly remembers the first steps of the journey.
“We started by buying seeds at the local market, planting them, and using the harvest we produced to support our prisoners. Little did we know how well things would develop despite our small resources,” stated Goum.
The success of the small-scale experiment was immediate, with nutritious okra, eggplants, tomatoes and local greens like guedi-guedi and rigila soon complementing the inmates’ diet, making them healthier in the process.
In fact, the resulting produce was more than the prison population could consume on its own, which led project managers to sell the surplus at the market, thus increasing food security among everyone living in the area.
“Our determination and persistence have paid off handsomely,” said Bainam, a clerk working with the prison service. “The results have been incredible, inmates are engaged in a meaningful activity, and we can use the revenue we generate from sales to address other urgent needs that arise. Our farm is doing very well indeed.”
Bainam added, “If we had proper tools and more resources, we would be able to expand and increase our production. But who knows, maybe we will be able to achieve that on our own as well.”
