The farmers union in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State has complained that lack of funding, inputs like seeds, and fuel for plowing coupled with early heavy rains have affected the commencement of cultivation and will negatively affect yields later.
Anyar Kuol Akot, the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State farmers' union chairperson, told Radio Tamazuj that the unprecedented early heavy rains led to flooding in the lowland areas.
“The agricultural season in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State in 2021 started well but now there are some spaces filled with floodwaters, all crops failed. The affected low land areas are Auluic, Malek Alel, Chimel, Dang, and others. And there are some areas with moderate rain where farming activities take place,’’ Akot said.
He added: “I call upon the government and organizations to support the farmers who lost their farms and we need everybody who has the power to come in with support. There is no money this year and it was said that the World Bank would bring money to the farmers but there is nothing up to now.”
Malual Akol, a farmer in Aweil East County, said, “The farmers are not funded up to this far but the farming activities have already commenced. It will be dangerous if the support comes late, it is better to fund them now so that we can access all seeds.”
Meanwhile, in Aweil South County farmers who wish to increase arable land using mechanized agriculture say they do not have the tools and funds to do so.
Peter Dau said, “There is no support to farmers in Aweil South County, the farmers have not had assistance since last year. Some people wish to use tractors but they are using local hoes and it will be good if they are supported with money so that they can use the machines.”
Northern Bahr el Ghazal State minister of agriculture, environment, and forestry, Anei Deng Akok, said the UNFAO distributed small quantities of some seeds to small-scale farmers.
“As I told you, the UNFAO distributed small quantities of seeds to small-scale farmers. They distributed vegetable and maize seeds, except dura seeds, because we have technical problems with UNFAO,’’ Deng said. “We are working hard in coordination with the national ministry of agriculture to allocate some funds to the farmers but there is not intervention up to now.”