The German federal aid agency has donated equipment to the Aweil Rice Scheme. Authorities linked to the state-run agriculture project received the equipment from the German agency, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), at a hand-over ceremony last week.

The farmers union of Nrothern Bahr El Ghazal received from the Germans two trucks, two bulldozers, and three Land Cruisers. Speaking to Radio Tamazuj during the hand-over ceremony, Garang Deng, the chairperson for the farmers union said that GIZ has done a lot for the farmers of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, for example it has provided more than 5 million Euros for the project. He added that GIZ also provided a grinding machine for the rice.

“This grinding machine produces about 100 bags in one hour. Now the project has ended after three years’ contract,” said the chairman.

According to the head of the farmers’ union, the rice scheme in Aweil this year is not good because there was too much rain. He said the rice also needs Urea and TSP, which are chemicals for the treating the rice, but they are lacking these chemicals. “We were getting from Khartoum and when the two countries closed down the borders, Urea and TSP were nowhere to be found.”

He also added that there are 545 farmers for the Rice in the state. Each farmer can cultivate two or more fedans. He said therefore there are now so far about 2000 feddans cultivated.

"Lastly I urge our government in the national level to add to the budget for the Rice Scheme in the new year's budget if possible and to allow the NGOs/companies aiming at supporting the Rice," he said.