The GIZ Improved Living Conditions and Psychosocial Support Project and Magwi Freedom FM conducted two radio talk shows to promote Good Agronomic Practices and improve food security in Magwi County.

The live radio program brought together agricultural experts from Magwi County Agricultural Department, Magwi College of Agribusiness, and the project expert to discuss practical farming methods that can help farmers increase yields while preserving soil fertility and protecting the environment.

Key topics covered during the discussion included land preparation, timely planting, proper spacing, improved seed varieties, weed management, pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling.

Speaking during the program, the ILiPS Project Advisor in Magwi County emphasized that radio remains one of the most effective channels for reaching rural farming communities with timely agricultural information.

“Through this radio platform, we are able to share simple but important farming practices that can help farmers improve production and strengthen food security at household level,” the Advisor said.

Listeners from different payams in Magwi County actively participated in the program by calling in with questions and sharing their farming experiences. The interactive session allowed farmers to receive direct guidance from specialists on challenges affecting crop production in the area.

In agriculturally productive counties like Yei and Magwi, information is an input just like seed. The radio talk shows ensured no farmer is left behind due to limitations in physical access.

In Magwi, agriculture is the primary source of income. To boost productivity and resilience, the ILiPS Project employs a comprehensive, season-ready approach that combines distribution of quality seeds and tools (e.g. rakes, hoes, fork hoes, slashers), provision of hermetic storage bags to reduce post-harvest losses.

This integrated support helps smallholder farmers make timely decisions, improve yields, and protect harvests, while the radio talk shows enhance knowledge on the topic.

The radio talk show forms part of the GIZ-ILiPS Project’s broader effort to strengthen agricultural extension services and promote climate-smart farming practices among smallholder farmers across Magwi County.

In addition, similar radio talk show series including spot messages will be rolled out in early May 2026 in Yei River County, closely partnering with the County Agriculture Department and Spirit 99.9 FM Yei.

Since its inception, the GIZ ILiPS Project has collaborated with Spirit 99.9 FM (Yei) and Voice of Freedom FM 93.0 (Magwi), airing 19 radio talk shows on Good Agronomic Practices. Each year, new cohorts of smallholder farmers benefit ahead of the planting season. In 2026, the Magwi County broadcasts reached an estimated 221,000 people.

The ILiPS Project is implemented by GIZ South Sudan on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The project supports returnees, internally displaced people, and host communities in boosting their agricultural production to improve food security by providing tools, seeds, and training to farmers and cooperating with local training centers to expand educational opportunities available in the region.

In addition, the project aims to strengthen access to psychosocial support services for community members and raise awareness on the importance of psychosocial well-being.

In South Sudan, GIZ works on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Germany provides humanitarian assistance and supports the long-term development of South Sudan, above all in the fields of local governance, rural development, sustainable agri-food systems, water and sanitation supply, peace and reconciliation, gender equality, and SGBV prevention.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federal enterprise with worldwide operations. We support the German Government in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. We are also engaged in international education activities around the globe. Through our work, we assist people and societies in shaping their own future and improving living conditions.