Conservation Agriculture ProgrammeEmpower Farmers South Sudan (EFSS)
Building food-secure and climate-resilient communities across South Sudan.
Conservation Agriculture ProgrammeBuilding food-secure and climate-resilient communities across South Sudan.
Empowering farmers. Equipping youth. Restoring land.
Smallholder Farmers Trained
Youth Trained (Champions & Fellows)
Demonstration Farm (Operational in Juba)
Programme Launched (Pilot phase)
Empower Farmers South Sudan (EFSS) is the conservation agriculture programme of EmpowerKids–South Sudan. EFSS teaches smallholder farmers how to grow more food with less effort through the Foundations for Farming model.
Our mission is to improve food security, create dignified agricultural livelihoods for communities, restore degraded land and help farming households become more resilient to climate and economic pressures.
We believe that practical knowledge, disciplined farming practices and locally trained leaders can help communities build stronger and more productive agricultural systems.
Food insecurity. Degraded soils. Uncertain harvests.
Food insecurity and soil degradation threaten millions of families in South Sudan. Years of conflict, climate shocks and unsustainable farming practices have left soils exhausted and harvests unreliable. Many smallholder farmers work hard but still face:
EFSS exists to help turn that hard work into stronger harvests, healthier soils and more stable livelihoods.
A future where farming creates food security and opportunity
Families are able to produce sufficient food using disciplined, productive and resource-efficient farming systems.
Farmers restore soil health through conservation agriculture, composting, mulching, agroforestry and other climate-smart practices.
Young people become trained Interns, Fellows and Champions who carry agricultural knowledge into their communities.
Higher productivity is connected with farmer organisation, collective marketing and buyer linkages so that increased production can translate into stronger livelihoods.
Lasting agricultural change begins with people, not inputs
Young people trained as Interns, Fellows and Champions carry skills, standards and accountability into their communities.
Every farmer is a manager of land, time and resources, responsible for applying good practices faithfully.
When small actions are done correctly and consistently, land is restored, yields improve, and households and communities become more resilient.
Three pathways to stronger farms and stronger communities
Practical learning in real farming environments
EFSS delivers training directly within farmers' own communities and fields rather than in distant classrooms. Using household Pfumvudza plots, village demonstration sites, schools and churches as training venues, farmers learn conservation agriculture in their real production environments.
Building the next generation of agricultural leaders
EFSS places youth at the centre of agricultural transformation. Young people are trained and mentored as Interns, Fellows, and Champions. Through structured Train-the-Trainer courses, field supervision and leadership development, young people gain the technical, facilitation and ethical skills required to serve as community agriculture leaders.
Explore Train-the-Trainer →Moving households from survival toward surplus
EFSS combines soil restoration with market-focused farming. Through composting, mulching, agroforestry, moisture conservation, soil restoration, farmer organisation, collective marketing and buyer linkages, degraded land can be rehabilitated and productivity restored.
Foundations for Farming
Farmers learn the importance of carrying out agricultural activities at the right time.
Every stage of production is carried out according to defined standards.
Farmers are encouraged to use land, water, inputs, time and other resources efficiently.
Agriculture is approached with commitment, dignity, discipline and a positive attitude.
A precision-based household food security system
Pfumvudza is a precision-based household farming system designed to enable a family of six to produce sufficient, high-quality staple food for one year from a small, well-managed plot. The system uses permanent planting basins, early planting, mulching, strict agronomic discipline, precise spacing and careful crop management.
Standard Pfumvudza Plot
Planting Stations
Row Spacing (60cm in-row spacing)
Hole Depth
Seeds per Station (thinned to 2 plants)
EFSS operates Pfumvudza demonstration farms as the foundation of its training and quality assurance system. These sites function as living classrooms where smallholder farmers, youth leaders, schools and partners can observe and practise conservation agriculture in real field conditions.
Establish standard plots
Establish standard 16m × 39m Pfumvudza plots as household food security units.
Demonstrate correct practices
Show farmers correct spacing, planting depth, compost application, mulching, thinning and crop management.
Host field learning
Host seasonal field days, farmer open days and institutional trainings.
Quality control
Use demonstration farms as quality-control hubs before scaling training into communities.
Demonstration farms ensure that EFSS training moves beyond theory. Farmers can see visible results, including improved soil condition, stronger crop stands, better crop management and higher yields. This builds confidence and accelerates adoption of Conservation Agriculture – Foundations for Farming (CA-FfF) practices.
Explore Demonstration Farming →From field preparation to harvest
Establishing the correct Pfumvudza layout and permanent planting basins.
Applying correct timing, spacing and planting depth.
Using compost and mulch to improve soil condition and conserve moisture.
Applying correct thinning, weed control and crop-care practices.
Harvesting at the appropriate time and reducing post-harvest losses.
Supporting better handling and storage of harvested crops.
Behind every number is a family taking a step toward food security
Youth Trained (Champions & Fellows)
Smallholder Farmers Trained
Demonstration Farm Operational in Juba
Launched in 2025 as a pilot, the Empower Farmers South Sudan Programme is now building momentum for nationwide expansion in 2026. The goal is to move from demonstration and training into broader community adoption, creating a scalable system of trained farmers and youth agricultural leaders across South Sudan.
A practical learning journey through the farming season
Understanding the principles and purpose of conservation agriculture.
Learning to work On Time, At Standard, Without Wastage and With Joy.
Establishing the correct plot size, layout, planting stations and basins.
Building soil health and conserving moisture.
Understanding how to restore and maintain productive soils.
Managing weeds and maintaining healthy crops throughout the season.
Harvesting properly and protecting production after the field.
The EFSS Train-the-Trainer (ToT) Programme professionalises youth as conservation agriculture instructors and community resource persons.
Certify youth Champions and Fellows
Training young leaders in Foundations for Farming methodology.
Structured ToT courses
Delivering structured two-day Train-the-Trainer courses with optional field practicum extensions.
Build facilitation skills
Developing the communication and teaching abilities needed to train other farmers.
Ethics & safeguarding
Providing ethics orientation, safeguarding standards and assessment.
Professional ToT services
Offering professional Train-the-Trainer services to NGOs, schools, churches and community groups on a cost-recovery basis.
By equipping youth with technical and leadership skills, EFSS creates a sustainable training system that can continue beyond individual programme cycles. The approach also creates a pathway for national replication of conservation agriculture.
Explore Train-the-Trainer Course →Scaling conservation agriculture across South Sudan
The National Adoption Campaign is EFSS's pathway from pilot projects to nationwide agricultural transformation.
Engage farmers through community meetings, schools, churches and traditional leaders.
Deploy Interns, Fellows and Champions to priority communities.
Establish partnerships with schools and faith-based organisations.
Support farmer registration, land verification and training.
Follow up with farmers after training to support correct implementation.
The campaign is designed to help make Conservation Agriculture – Foundations for Farming (CA-FfF) a community-owned movement. The goal is to embed conservation agriculture within everyday farming systems and local institutions.
EFSS integrates agroforestry and climate-smart practices throughout its conservation agriculture model to respond to climate change and environmental degradation.
Restore soil
Promote compost-based soil restoration and permanent soil cover through mulching.
Plant trees
Integrate tree planting and agroforestry into Pfumvudza systems.
Conserve moisture
Train farmers in moisture conservation and minimum tillage.
Diversify production
Promote crop diversification to strengthen resilience.
Establish nurseries
Develop demonstration tree nurseries and household woodlots.
These practices help rebuild soil fertility, reduce vulnerability to drought, respond to erratic rainfall, protect smallholder livelihoods, improve long-term land productivity and support more resilient farming communities. The goal is to ensure that future generations inherit productive and resilient farmland.
Explore Agroforestry & Climate Action →Building a complete agricultural transformation system
Living classrooms where farmers and youth can see and practise conservation agriculture.
Explore Demonstration Farming →Equipping youth Champions and Fellows to become conservation agriculture instructors and community resource persons.
Explore Train-the-Trainer →Mobilising communities and institutions to expand conservation agriculture across South Sudan.
Explore National Adoption Campaign →Restoring soils, protecting livelihoods and building climate resilience.
Explore Agroforestry & Climate Action →From better farming practices to stronger livelihoods
Food security is the first step. EFSS also works toward a future where farmers can translate better production into stronger household livelihoods.
Helping farmers work together around production and market opportunities.
Creating opportunities for farmers to aggregate production and engage markets more effectively.
Connecting increased production with potential buyers and market opportunities.
Helping farming households move beyond survival toward more stable agricultural income.
Young people at the centre of agricultural transformation
Agriculture needs the energy, skills and leadership of young people. EFSS places youth at the centre of its model through:
Practical agricultural experience and field learning.
Developing young people as agricultural leaders.
Training youth to support conservation agriculture adoption in their communities.
Building technical, facilitation and leadership capacity.
From the demonstration farm to the community
A living classroom for South Sudan's agricultural future.
At the EFSS demonstration farm in Juba, farmers, youth leaders, schools and partners can see conservation agriculture in practice — from Pfumvudza plot layout and composting to mulching, crop management and harvesting.
Demonstration Farm – Pfumvudza plots and field demonstrations
Farmer Training – Smallholder farmers learning conservation agriculture practices
Youth Champions – Young people participating in EFSS training and leadership activities
Pfumvudza Practice – Farmers working on planting stations, spacing and crop management
Composting & Mulching – Practical demonstrations of soil restoration techniques
Agroforestry – Tree planting, nurseries and climate-resilient farming activities
Field Days – Farmers, institutions and partners learning together
Harvest – Evidence of production and agricultural results
Learn → Practise → Supervise → Scale
Farmers and youth receive practical training in conservation agriculture.
Farmers apply what they learn on Pfumvudza plots and demonstration sites.
EFSS provides field visits, technical audits and mentoring.
Successful practices are carried into communities through trained youth leaders and the National Adoption Campaign.
Making sure training becomes practice
Training alone is not enough. After training, farmers receive regular field visits, technical audits and mentoring. Progress is tracked through farmer logbooks and inspection tools to help ensure that conservation agriculture practices are applied correctly and consistently.
Regular follow-up with participating farmers.
Checking whether practices are being applied according to standards.
Tracking implementation and progress.
Helping farmers overcome challenges and improve practice.
Using field experience to strengthen future training and programme delivery.
Growing the movement together
EFSS welcomes collaboration with organisations and institutions that want to strengthen food security, climate resilience and agricultural livelihoods in South Sudan.
Join conservation agriculture training and apply practices in your own fields.
Become an Intern, Fellow or Champion and help lead agricultural transformation.
Partner around demonstration farming, agricultural learning and youth engagement.
Support community mobilisation and agricultural training.
Partner on farmer training, ToT services and community programmes.
Work with EFSS to bring conservation agriculture into local communities.
Support farmer organisation, market access and buyer linkages.
Support the expansion of climate-resilient agriculture across South Sudan.
Learn more about EFSS
Programme materials explaining the core conservation agriculture principles.
Practical information about plot establishment and management.
Resources supporting the sequential training modules.
Resources for Champions, Fellows and other agricultural trainers.
Materials related to soil restoration, tree planting and climate resilience.
Updates and evidence from EFSS field activities.
Stories from Empower Farmers South Sudan
Stories from demonstration farms, farmers and agricultural activities.
Read more →Updates about soil restoration, tree planting and climate-resilient agriculture.
Read more →Updates on EFSS expansion, partnerships and the National Adoption Campaign.
Read more →From pilot to nationwide ambition
The programme begins building its conservation agriculture model in South Sudan.
Farmers and youth leaders receive practical training while demonstration farming provides a living classroom.
EFSS develops its youth leadership, Train-the-Trainer and National Adoption Campaign systems.
The long-term ambition is to build a community-owned conservation agriculture movement across South Sudan.
More than a farming technique
Helping households produce more reliable food.
Rebuilding the productivity of degraded land.
Reducing vulnerability to drought and unpredictable rainfall.
Creating roles for young people as agricultural leaders.
Connecting better production with markets and income opportunities.
Building stronger local food systems and farming communities.
A hunger-free and resilient agricultural future
EFSS envisions a South Sudan where farming households have the knowledge, tools and leadership needed to produce food sustainably. A future where:
Join the agricultural transformation
Empower Farmers South Sudan welcomes:
Connect with us about conservation agriculture training.
Explore opportunities to become an Intern, Fellow or Champion.
Partner with us to reach farming communities.
Explore agricultural learning and demonstration opportunities.
Discuss training, partnership and collaboration opportunities.
Help us scale climate-resilient agriculture across South Sudan.
Email: info@empowerfarmers.org
Phone: +211 986 133 777
Gudele West, Block 4, Plot 477, Luri Payam, Juba County, Central Equatoria State, South Sudan
Contact EFSSHelp farmers grow more. Restore the land. Equip the next generation.
South Sudan's agricultural future depends on farmers who have the knowledge to produce sustainably and young people who are ready to lead. Your support can help EFSS train farmers, equip youth leaders, strengthen demonstration farms, restore degraded land and expand conservation agriculture into more communities.
Help expand farmer training and agricultural activities.
Bring conservation agriculture to communities, schools and institutions.
Help train the next generation of agricultural Champions and Fellows.
Work with EFSS on training, research, climate resilience and market development.
Empower Farmers South Sudan – Conservation Agriculture Programme of EmpowerKids–South Sudan
Food Security • Soil Restoration • Youth Leadership • Climate Resilience