Reviving Markets And Market-Linked Agriculture In South Sudan: Jobs, Recovery, And Peacebuilding In Urban South Sudan – Technical Report III 2020

This study assesses the state of markets and of jobs in market-linked agriculture in the towns of South Sudan. It is based on a 2019 market trader survey end extensive qualitative work. Agriculture provides most urban livelihoods, and there is high potential for raising production. However, insecurity has disrupted all elements of agricultural markets, from production to the transformation of produce, trade networks, and demand. Market activity is recovering, but food system value chains are few and short. While most market activities are small-time and profits slim, most traders rely on their activities for most of their household’s income, and many provide jobs for hired helpers. Local products face competition from imports as insecurity makes it difficult for aggregators to operate. A lack of funds, bad and dangerous roads, low demand, and inflation are the most prominent obstacles to business in the markets. The study is one of a set of four reports assessing different aspects of jobs in urban South Sudan in order to formulate policy for recovery.