Natural Resource Management for Enhanced Agricultural Production and Nutrition Project (NRM for SAPron) Natural Resources
Western Equatoria is endowed with rich natural resources. A significant part of Yambio and Nzara Counties are covered by local forest reserves dominated by Teak trees. However, due to the increasing population, lack of alternative livelihood ventures and weak forest management policies, the forests are being encroached for cropping and harvesting of natural resources (timber, charcoal, firewood, and poles for construction). Much of the timber harvested is exported to other countries through Uganda. Although logging offers viable livelihood options, the trade accounts for the widespread environmental degradation. The situation is exacerbated by large unregulated foreign firms in Nzara County that export the raw materials, often as part of the grey and black -market activities. It is therefore of paramount importance that alternative clean energy options are adopted to reduce uncontrolled lumbering. In addition, there should be a consideration to introduce other quick regenerating plants that offer resources for construction and furniture making such as bamboo to protect the forests that if not well managed are at risk of complete destruction.

Food security and Livelihoods
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report for February and March in 2022, Yambio and Nzara Counties are classified under Crisis (IPC Phase 3) acute food insecurity. The key drivers for food insecurity stem from inter-communal violence and trade flow disruptions. The major livelihood sources for communities in Yambio and Nzara counties include crop cultivation, livestock keeping (goats, chicken, ducks, and piggery), bee keeping and fishing. The counties are part of the Equatorial maize and cassava livelihood zone, categorized by its bimodal rainfall patterns which occur from March —June and July to November. Households have two harvest periods, in July and November through December each year. The main crops grown include maize, sorghum, cassava, groundnuts, sweet potatoes, and rice.
Food consumption/ access to food
With crop production reportedly disrupted due to insecurity, HHS food security and dietary diversification has reduced. Less than half of the population in Yambio and Nzara counties have low household diet diversity. Food Consumption Scores (FCS) indicate that households cannot afford 2 meals a day with nearly half of the population in Yambio and Nzara having poor FCS, reflective of consuming a low frequency of staple foods or other food groups. 

Market opportunities:
The market information presented through the Joint Market Monitoring Index (JMMI) shows that Yambio and Nzara are an important market hub for the western part of the country. Proximity to the border provides the counties with access to markets in DR Congo, and Central African Republic. The traders stock food items that are locally consumed with limited access to external markets. The major trade routes connecting Yambio to Juba were closed during the time of heightened insecurity in South Sudan between 201 6 - 2020. Currently, people can access Juba by road with reported pockets of insecurity along the roads.
With relative return of peace, access to markets has improved. As such, communities should be supported to increase production based on prevailing market needs. This will enable them to diversify their livelihood ventures and offer a sustainable approach towards self-sustenance and improve diet diversity. Increased production with a surety to market access will also contribute towards employability and development within the proposed project locations. Beyond raw materials, communities can also diversify their business fronts through value addition of crops produced within the project locations. Crops mainly cultivated include maize, cassava, sorghum, sesame, groundnuts, and fruits. With improved production and thriving markets, the government will be able to collect taxes that will in-turn be used to improve access to quality and sustainable basic social services within the project locations.

Situational analysis of the project area and Yubu catchment:
The Yubu catchment serves communities in Western Equatoria State of South Sudan, specifically Yambio and Nzara counties. Yambio County has six (6) Payams; Yambio Town, Bangasu, Gangura, Bazungua, Ri-Rangu and Nadiangere, with a total of 44 Bomas. According to the 2020 population projections by the South Sudan National Bureau of Statistics, Yambio County has a projected population size of 213,820 people (109,21 1 Male and 104,599 female), while Nzara County has five administrative Payams; Sangua, Sakure, Ringasi, Nzara Central and Basukangbi, with a population projection of 92,227(47,1 IOM & 45,1 16F) people. The local language spoken across Yambio County and Nzara County is Azande.
Yubu River and other water resources:
The Yubu river runs through the border between Gangura Payam of Yambio County with Sakure Payam of Nzara County. Yubu river micro-catchment absorbs large volumes of surface water utilized during the dry season for household use, animals' consumption, fishing, brick making and crop production use through small scale irrigation schemes. Other water resources include river Uzee that runs through Yambio Town Payam and one lake Nakpangau that provides water for domestic use and is currently growing into a local tourist attraction site. The riverbanks are eroded and often collapse, increasing siltation that causes the increased prevalence of flood risks that results in displacement of households and flooding of the crop gardens. Upon this background, Cordaid will incorporate environmental conservation to restore the degraded riverbanks.

Problem Analysis
Despite the favourable weather conditions to boost agricultural production in Yambio and Nzara counties, the counties still experience pockets of insecurity, small holder farmers applying poor farming methods, bushfires mainly during the dry season, pests, and diseases infestation commonly the fall army worm, extreme weather conditions (dry spells and flooding) and environmental degradation that affect increased crop performance. During the first half of 2018 and 2021, Yambio County was affected by armed conflict in the neighbouring county of Tambura attributed to political unrest. The conflict led to the influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Tambura to Yambio Town. The increased displaced population exerted pressure on the limited resources and social amenities and thus increased reliance on relief support from humanitarian partners by the affected communities making it impossible for the communities to realize optimal household food production.
With relative peace, the communities face new challenges including mass deforestation due to limited livelihood options, riverbank encroachment, low agricultural production as majority of farmers use traditional tools and poor roads which are sometimes inaccessible during the rainy season, limiting access to markets. The situation has been exacerbated by high commodity prices attributed to the current war between Russia and Ukraine. This has greatly impacted on food access as vulnerable households cannot afford basic needs. Other social challenges include gender inequality in rural areas and increased cases of gender-based violence. The overall project objective is to strengthen the resilience of 2000 households affected by crises through effective management of natural resources, diversified food production and healthy diet.

Result area I : Management of natural resources and disaster risk management.

Result area 2: To promote a healthy diet and nutrition amongst the target population of the intervention 2000 (60% Male, 40% Female) at least 2% People with Disabilities PWDS