In 2005, Emmanuel Christian University (ECU), then operating as a training centre, initiated a maize farming project with the primary aim of providing food for students. With support from Africa Services, the institution acquired a large piece of fertile land in Yei for farming.
This land was fully developed, enabling the university not only to produce enough maize for student consumption but also to generate income from surplus sales. Over time, other agricultural components—such as poultry and cattle rearing—were introduced, and by 2015, ECU had established a fully functional agricultural branch that was a reliable source of income and an integral part of the university’s operations.

Although the initial goal of ECU’s agricultural project was to supply food for students, the vision expanded over time. It evolved into a program promoting the self-reliance of the university while empowering local communities through Biblical principles of farming. The project aimed to enhance food production, build resilience among farmers, and foster responsible stewardship of the land.
ECU currently possesses 250 hectares of farmland, of which 70 hectares are actively used for crop cultivation, including maize and other staple crops. The university also conducted training workshops to equip surrounding communities with modern farming techniques, thereby contributing to broader regional food security.