Food Insecurity and Subsistence Farming

South Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR) are among the most food-insecure nations in the world, where prolonged conflict, economic instability, and environmental shocks have crippled food production and access. In both countries, the majority of the population relies on subsistence farming for survival, but with limited resources and persistent insecurity, families often struggle to grow or access enough food.

In South Sudan, over 7.1 million people—more than 60% of the population—are acutely food insecure, and 1.4 million children under five suffer from malnutrition. Years of civil war, recurrent floods, and displacement have destroyed livelihoods and farmland. Although agriculture is the backbone of rural life, only 4% of arable land is cultivated due to lack of tools, seeds, infrastructure, and access to markets.

Most South Sudanese farmers engage in subsistence agriculture, relying on traditional methods and rainfall to grow staple crops such as sorghum and maize. With unpredictable weather patterns and frequent flooding, entire harvests are often lost, forcing families to depend on wild foods, one daily meal, or humanitarian aid.

The Central African Republic faces a similarly dire situation, with nearly 3 million people—about 60% of the population—in urgent need of food assistance. Widespread poverty, displacement, and insecurity have severely limited food production. Approximately two-thirds of the population rely on subsistence farming, cultivating cassava, millet, and maize primarily for home consumption.

The country faces challenges such as inadequate farming tools, poor soil fertility, and lack of access to seeds and fertilizers. Food imports make up a significant portion of the national supply, but rising prices and road insecurity prevent many families from affording or accessing basic necessities. As a result, chronic hunger and malnutrition remain widespread, particularly among children and rural women.