The government of Western Equatoria state, in partnership with the Azande Kingdom, has launched a fleet of tractors aimed at modernizing agriculture and increasing food production, officials said Wednesday.
The tractors and agricultural processing machines were unveiled at the royal palace in Bazungua, where government officials, traditional leaders and community members attended the event.
The equipment was donated by the Chinese government and handed over earlier this year in Juba to King Atoroba Peni Rikito Gbudue. Authorities say it will support mechanized farming in the Azande Kingdom, a region known for its fertile soil.
Governor Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa said the initiative is intended to improve farming efficiency and increase crop yields.
“These tractors will improve farming efficiency, reduce manual labor, and increase crop yields,” he said, adding that mechanized farming could help reduce hunger and strengthen livelihoods.
Rimbasa urged farmers to organize themselves into cooperatives and adopt year-round production, saying the state would provide technical support and training.
King Atoroba called on residents to make effective use of the equipment.
“Farming is the backbone of our community. These tractors are for everyone,” he said.
He also thanked President Salva Kiir Mayardit, the national government and China for supporting agriculture in the country.
Western Equatoria’s agriculture minister, Brigate Nagomoro, said the initiative could help shift farming in the state toward commercial production.
“Our people are naturally agriculturalists, and mechanization will help move us toward commercial farming,” she said.
A representative of development partners, Joel Binza, said Western Equatoria has the potential to become a major food-producing region, adding that youth participation would be key.
The tractors are expected to support the cultivation of crops such as maize, cassava, groundnuts and vegetables, which are staples in the area.
Some farmers welcomed the initiative, saying it could ease labor and expand production.
“These tractors will save time and effort. We can now prepare larger fields and grow more crops,” said Mary Juma, a farmer in Yambio.
Officials said training on operating and maintaining the equipment would begin in the coming weeks.
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