AYA Introduces Apple and Cocoa Seedlings in Mundri to Improve Farming and Support Farmers.

The Active Youth Agency (AYA), a national non-governmental organization, has brought more than 30 apple and cocoa seedlings from Kenya to be planted in Mundri East and Mundri West counties. The goal is to introduce new cash crops and boost agricultural production in the Greater Mundri area of South Sudan.

This new project, led by AYA’s Executive Director Mr. Repent Woroh Odrande and Dr. George Tädu, marks the first time apple and cocoa trees are being grown in Greater Mundri.
“I am proud to see the farmers of Greater Mundri receiving apple and cocoa seedlings for the first time,” said Mr. Odrande. “If we plant and care for them properly, we won’t need to import apples anymore.”
Dr. George Tädu, who spoke on behalf of the North American Centenary Agricultural Committee, encouraged farmers to embrace the opportunity. “These fruits can transform farming in Greater Mundri and all of South Sudan,” he said. “We want this area to become a source of agricultural exports.”
AYA stressed its dedication to helping farmers improve their lives, by growing crops that can feed families and be sold in the market.

Many local farmers appreciated the project. Mrs. Joy Mora, a local farming group leader, said: “I’m thankful for these apple seedlings. We will take care of them so our people stop depending on imports. I remember when AYA started in 2004—we’ve worked together since then, and today is a big success.”
Community leader Chief Wajo of Bangolo Payam also praised the initiative. “AYA has supported our farmers a lot. Our people will benefit if we take care of these seedlings.”
AYA’s agricultural team encouraged farmers to use the skills they learned in training. They shared that apple trees can start producing fruit in just nine months, making them one of the fastest-growing new cash crops in the area.

This seedling project is expected to bring lasting change to farming in South Sudan, encouraging sustainable agriculture and increasing local income in Greater Mundri, however among the seedling plants there are also three different species of groundnuts being brought to greater Mundri.
AYA is working in partnership with the North American Centenary Agricultural Committee, a group originally formed to celebrate 100 years of Christianity in Moru land. The committee now focuses on improving farmers’ lives by introducing high-value crops like apple and cocoa.