Farm Radio Weekly

On July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the world’s newest country. Its official title is the Republic of South Sudan. His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit was sworn in for a four-year term as president. According to the official government website, agriculture will be a priority economic sector. For more details and information, visit the official website of the Government of South Sudan:  http://www.goss.org/

For a profile of South Sudan, visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14069082

Here are four news stories which discuss different aspects of the food crisis and the conflict in South Sudan:

-South Sudan: Worsening Food Crisis http://allafrica.com/stories/201202201746.html

-Food Crisis in South Sudan can impact millions http://womennewsnetwork.net/2012/02/12/food-crisis-south-sudan-impact-millions/

-High levels of food insecurity in South Sudan http://reliefweb.int/node/475452

-Sudan: Jonglei’s Pibor Resumes Business After Displacement: http://allafrica.com/stories/201202131693.html

Here is a briefing on the recent violence in Jonglei State:

-South Sudan: Briefing on Jonglei violence http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=94837

This website highlights the work that Farm Africa is doing in South Sudan:

-Farm Africa’s work in South Sudan: http://www.farmafrica.org.uk/where-we-work/southern-sudan

The executive summary (starting on page iv) of this 2009 report from USAID gives an overview of the agricultural potential and challenges in the country.  http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADQ841.pdf

FRW has published a few stories related to the conflicts in South Sudan:

-South Sudan – Uganda: Farmers fear landmines (FRW 169, August 2011) http://weekly.farmradio.org/2011/08/22/south-sudan-uganda-farmers-fear-land-mines-irin/

-Landmine threaten livelihoods (FRW #75, July 2009) http://weekly.farmradio.org/2009/07/27/1-sudan-landmines-threaten-livelihoods-by-david-de-dau-for-farm-radio-weekly-in-southern-sudan/

-Madi community fights land grab attempts (FRW #69, June 2009) http://weekly.farmradio.org/2009/06/08/2-sudan-madi-community-fights-land-grab-attempts-by-david-de-dau-for-farm-radio-weekly-in-juba-southern-sudan/

Farm Radio International has also produced scripts which discuss conflict and its aftermath.

Scripts in package 67, distributed in June 2003, deal with the themes of conflict and rebuilding lives after conflict. The feature article in the June 2003 edition of Voices, available at  http://www.farmradio.org/english/partners/voices/v2003jun.asp, provides good background information for creating programming on these themes.

Here are some examples of scripts on the theme:

-Rebuilding Local Seed Supplies After Armed Conflict or Other Emergency Situations (Package 67, Script 1, June 2003). http://farmradio.org/english/radio-scripts/67-1script_en.asp

-Women Face Many Challenges After Conflict (Package 67, Script 8, June 2003).  http://farmradio.org/english/radio-scripts/67-8script_en.asp

-Mummy Tiger and Her Babies: How Children Experience Conflict (Package 67, Script 10, June 2003).  http://farmradio.org/english/radio-scripts/67-10script_en.asp

This website provides a lot of useful information and resources on how radio can contribute to building peace: http://www.radiopeaceafrica.org/index.cfm?lang=en

If you broadcast to a region which is affected by conflict, you might consider looking for stories which feature positive examples of people, especially farmers, successfully coping with conflict. These may be difficult to find, but can be inspiring and supportive for listeners. If you have examples to share with other Farm Radio Weekly readers, please let us know: farmradioweekly@farmradio.org