29 November 2011 - A new programme, recently organized through collaboration between UNAMID, a number of UN agencies and Darfur local authorities, will provide alternative economic activities for 200 prisoners from Kass prison in South Darfur. They will be trained and equipped with agriculture skills that can be used for their reintegration into society on completion of their sentences.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will distribute seeds, assist in monitoring the project and offer job training for the first 40 prisoners who will be involved in the project. UNAMID’s support includes the provision of an irrigation pump, transportation of agricultural tools, the installation of a water pump, as well as monitoring tasks. The State Ministry of Agriculture is to provide tractors for ploughing and the Forest National Corporation to assist at nursery construction.  

The farm on which they will be trained comprises almost 3,000 acres of agricultural land and is being managed by both staff and prisoners from Kass prison. It will also be used as a model to develop new varieties of cereals and vegetables and other farmers from the community as well as returnees will be able to upgrade their skills and technical knowledge in modern farming technology. Also, as part of the initiative, UNAMID and its UN partners will assist farmers in growing more and higher quality crops. This will give them an economic boost while, through fair pricing, helping them to be players in local markets that can sustain them in the long-term.

Communication and Public Information Division Media Contacts
Kemal Saïki, Director; saiki@un.org; tel.: +249 (0) 92 244 3529; mobile: +249 (0) 92 241 0020

Guiomar Pau Sole, Media Relations, paug@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)90 090 5097