Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The farmers in Central Equatoria State’s Morobo County have said they are happy to prepare their land for the first planting season of this year.
The county is one of the fertile areas in the green belt in the state that produces agricultural products with high yields.
Though insecurity has affected agriculture in the area in the past, the farmers believe this is the year will be better and it is time to take a leap of faith.
Speaking to Radio Tamajuz, Asiki Moses, a large-scale farmer in the area, said it is high time farmers prepare their farmlands.
“Every farmer should prepare their land so that when it starts raining, seeds can be planted immediately because the land is ready. The reason why early preparation of farmland is important is because some seeds do not germinate when there is no rain,” he explained. “However, when the land is not prepared early and the rains begin, weeds will start growing and that can disturb the growth of the crops but when there is early preparations, the weeds can easily be destroyed.”
Another farmer, Sebit Arkangelo, who intends to plan maize and groundnuts this year, said to eradicate hunger in the county and the country at large, there is a need to prepare enough land for cultivation. He added that Morobo County can supply food to Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Yei, and Juba since the area is so fertile.
“Early preparation is good and I am telling our farmers out there that it is time to prepare your land because when it starts raining, the land will be ready for the planting season. I am preparing to plant maize and groundnuts,” he said. “I see that there is hunger in the country and I am so sure that when we engage in agriculture this year, we will be able to eradicate hunger in South Sudan. People come to us from Uganda, Congo, Yei, and Juba to buy our produce which shows that our place is good for agriculture’’.
Meanwhile, Elioba Soro, the director of agriculture in Morobo County, said there are government tractors for hire at SSP 70,000 per hectare which will enable farmers to cultivate on a large scale.
“There are tractors for hire from the government. Farmers are struggling using hoes and those who have money can hire the tractors. Last year, it was SSP 50,000 per hectare but this year because of the high fuel prices, we need to increase it to SSP 70,000,” he stated. “Lack of proper roads affects farming activities and also wild animals are destroying crops. The third challenge is the lack of crop storage facilities.”
Soro however reported that the government has long-term plans of rehabilitating feeder roads but that for now farmers should unite and repair some of the roads since people are returning to their homes from refugee camps to start farming and the security situation in the area is improving.
Morobo County is historically known for its fertile soils with agriculture being the major activity practiced by the locals. However, due to the 2013 and 2016 crises across the country, many farmers fled to neighboring countries like Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. People are now voluntarily returning from the camps and embarking on agriculture which is seen as a priority to fight food insecurity in the area and the country at large.
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