The Role of Participatory Approach in Promoting Food Security: Natabu&Bringi-Wau (South Sudan 2004-2010) A

Abstract

Taking the case of Natabu&Bringi, this study is to assess the impact of food security project in Western Bahr el Ghazal –Wau South Sudan. The main objective is to investigate how the participatory approach adopted has contributed to the improvement of socioeconomic life of the targeted population. Formulated in terms of questions, it tries to answer the following: why the participatory approach has been introduced and what objectives it was to achieve? What role local organizations and other bodies played in promoting participatory development at Natabu&Bringi? Has the participatory approach succeeded in achieving its objectives? and what were the major constraints that participatory approach faced at Natabu&Bringi? The study has adopted multiple approaches to data collection including secondary sources: books, articles, and internet sources. Concepts and some cases of participatory approach were reviewed to provide a theoretical framework. The field visit to collect empirical primary data covered Bringi, Natabu, Baggari villages of Wau County (Province) the capital of Western Bahr el Ghazal State-South Sudan, by conducting informal interviews with resource persons who have knowledge, experience in the area and they are in a better position to provide valuable information required for the study. The researcher’s field observation was also useful in the writing up. The research findings can be summarized as follows: i) that participatory approach has played a role in the empowerment of the local populations at the grass root level; ii) the participatory approach increased opportunity for the small group participation at local level in the project; iii) raising awareness of the importance of participation; The participatory approach that adopted at Natabu&Bringi as a mechanism to implement food security project, has achieved low level of participation, in spite of these, it faced some constraints such as: i) Low level of co-ordination; ii) Low level of participation; iii) Scarcity of financial capital; iv) Poor implementation; iv) Weak leadership skills; v) and some diseases that hinder participation of the targeted community. In conclusion, Participation has contributed to the improvement of local people’s awareness at Natabu&Bringi, and it can achieve a major breakthrough success if properly adopted in any development programmes and projects at the grass-root level. The study recommends that providing adult education for enlightening, access to financial capital sources, improvement of management skills, upgrading of local leaders should be addressed by exerting efforts from the local community, Government of Western Bahr el Ghazal State, local NGOs, Government of South Sudan (GOSS), Federal Government, to work together for fighting these constraints that hinder the process of participation at the grassroots of Natabu&Bringi.