The Catholic Organization for Peace and Development (CODEP), the social wing of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY), with support from Caritas Austria, has expanded its agricultural outreach by forming four new community farming groups aimed at strengthening food security and promoting sustainable agriculture in Western Equatoria State.
Two of the newly launched groups were officially formed on Tuesday 12th August 2025 in Yangiri Payam of Ezo County and Ri-gasi Payam of Nzara County. The latest expansion brings the total number of farming groups under CODEP’s initiative to seven.
Speaking during the launch, Rev. Charles Mbikoyo, Director of CODEP, emphasized that the initiative aligns with the diocesan commitment to boosting local food production.
“This initiative is vital for ensuring food sustainability and building resilience against hunger,” Rev. Mbikoyo said. “It reflects our mission to encourage massive food production at the community level.”
Gibson Kamilo, Program Manager for Agriculture at CODEP, stressed on the importance of equipping farmers with knowledge and tools to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
“We will provide hands-on training in modern and climate-resilient farming techniques to empower communities to feed themselves sustainably,” Kamilo said.
Local leaders and residents have welcomed the project, praising it as a timely intervention amid growing concerns about food scarcity in the region.
“With this support, we hope to improve our harvests and reduce our dependence on food aid,” said one community representative in Yangiri.
The newly formed groups will receive ongoing technical assistance, seeds, and tools as part of CODEP’s comprehensive support package. The organization says it remains committed to expanding similar initiatives to other areas in need.
