Cultivation activities in Abyei Administrative Area have been much affected by the two-year conflict between Ngok and Twic communities, flooding, and pests.
This week Umbrella Program hosted farmers and agriculture official to discuss ways to enhance agriculture this year.
The director general in the department of agriculture, animal resources forestry and fisheries, Mr. Deng Goch said they communicated with partners to assist with tools and seeds before the season begins. He added that they had received 4 mini tractors from the United Nations Food and agriculture Organization, FAO to be used in sandy soil. He encourages farmers to prepare for cultivation and avoid food scarcity next year.
Musa Miyen is a renowned farmer in Abyei who failed to produce food for the last two consecutive years. He plans to cultivate in sandy soils in the northern part of the Kiir river till peace is restored in the southern areas.
“Challenges are there but we can mitigate them by using tools which require few peopl, solicit seeds from neighboring communities, grow crops in sandy soils such as watermelon, sesames, millet among others and work in group to reduce security risks,” Musa added.
Monychok Kuot and Minyiel Arop are farmers in Rumamer county who are adamant to cultivate this year. But they urge the local government in Abyei to provide tools and seeds to encourage every farmer to dig this season.
Abyei was the food basket of Bahr el Ghazal region and Unity State in Upper region in the previous years but struggles now to feed its people due to conflict and climate change. Now a tin of sorghum equivalent to 3.5 kg is sold in the range of 6,000-7,000 South Sudanese Pounds. Most households depend on small food ration from the UN World Food Programme.
