On Monday, February 27, the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, Del Anyieth Atem, asked farmers to prepare for cultivating their fields.

He also asked all tractor drivers and mechanics to report to work, preparing the land for cultivation. “The thing is that we want to prepare ahead of time – this is the right time, before the rains start,” Atem said, adding that the ministry registered around 300 local farmers who will be supported.

In February 2016, the Jonglei State Government received 20 tractors, a share of President Salva Kiir’s donation of 1,000 tractors to boost agricultural production in South Sudan. Since then the tractor drivers and mechanics have been working on a temporary basis, but now they are supposed to be permanently appointed, Atem said.

He added that last year’s target to cultivate 4,000 feddan was not reached, due to poor climatic conditions. This year more than 4,000 feddan will be cultivated, Atem said.

However, Malaak Atem Akoy, a farmer in Jonglei State, said the security situation is not conducive to cultivate their fields. “There is hunger” and farmers should for now at least “plant a small garden” to feed their families until security improves, he said. He also asked the state government to provide tools and seeds.

Photo: A woman picking green vegetables in her farm in Bor on February 28, 2017. (Radio Tamazuj)