The new Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in Eastern Equatoria State, Ocholla Bosco Oringa, has pledged to prioritize the planting of 10 million trees this year to combat the alarming effects of climate change across the region.

Minister Oringa, a member of the opposition SPLM-IO, was recently appointed through a presidential decree and officially took office on February 3rd in Torit, the state capital. He succeeded Placid Komakech, who had served since the inception of the revitalized government of national unity.

Addressing the issue of rising temperatures and changing environmental conditions, Minister Oringa emphasized the urgent need for action. “The sun is becoming increasingly intense, especially in our town of Torit and in our homes. To address this, the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with our partners, is launching an initiative to plant 10 million tree seedlings,” said an interview Radio Tamazuj.

“These seedlings will be distributed across various institutions, including schools, government ministries, and communities in both urban and rural areas,” Minister Oringa added.

When asked about his top priorities as the new Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Oringa emphasized the need to empower farmers through training and capacity building to enhance food production. He highlighted plans to provide agricultural tools to counties and initiate projects in collaboration with the private sector, such as the Upper Talanga tea project. Oringa also stressed the importance of establishing a large-scale farm in Eastern Equatoria State to address food shortages in the country.

Among these priorities, the minister underscored the importance of launching a campaign to boost food production and ensure sufficient food reserves.

“My message to our people from all walks of life is that we need to take action. Let’s grab our hoes and start cultivating. Join hands with others in groups or projects, clear the land, as seen in counties like Ikotos and Magwi. I urge those in Torit to do the same. In Torit county, we must ensure security for our people so they can cultivate freely without fear. It’s time to rise up and combat hunger,” the minister urged.

Recently, farmers who spoke to Radio Tamazuj expressed concerns about various challenges, including pests, drought, and delays in seed distribution. In response, the new minister stated that the ministry is collaborating with partners to address these issues. They have established a testing laboratory for pests and have already started producing seedlings.

“We have pesticides available in the ministry, but county workers need to come and test them. As we approach April, the start of the first planting season, our extension workers in all eight counties of Eastern Equatoria State need to step up their efforts. We must start with small tasks, and I call for cooperation from all citizens to understand and implement our message. Together, we can tackle the numerous challenges we face. Soon, we will visit our counties to gather information on their challenges and activities, allowing the ministry to plan accordingly,” the minister explained.

The minister urged the population to focus on productive activities and disregard rumours of war. “To the entire country, I say this is a time for production, not war. Let's stop spreading rumours of war and fearmongering. There is nothing to gain from hating each other. Let’s get back to our farms. Without hunger, there will be peace. However, if there is no food, people may resort to criminal activities. Let’s work together to develop our country, South Sudan,” he emphasized.