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| Photo: Amin Joseph's Timeline, in Lerwa |
Last Week, I came across Amin Joseph's post about the lush maize fields in my hometown, Lerwa, Obbo Payam. Amin pointed out the need to empower farmers to produce enough food for Juba and their homes, lamenting the government's lack of support for agriculture, which leads to reliance on imports from Uganda and Kenya. Recently, the South Sudan Bureau of Standards confiscated substandard food from these countries, highlighting the urgency of this issue. It is disheartening to see our citizens' health put at risk due to the government's failure to support local food production.
The problem of food insecurity in the country is longstanding, and it will not be resolved without addressing the root causes. Magwi County has the potential to feed Juba as a whole, but insecurity, poor roads, lack of skills, and inadequate production systems hinder progress. Despite its fertile soil and favourable topography, the county remains underutilised. The dream of achieving food security seems distant, and the reliance on foreign food continues to pose health risks to our citizens.
Challenges and Call to Action
Insecurity: Recent ambushes on the Torit-Juba road and within Magwi County pose significant threats to agriculture. Farmers face risks on their way to farms, and some have lost their lives. The county and state governments should increase security presence and consider arming local youth to defend their farms in hard-to-reach areas. This will not only protect farmers but also encourage more people to engage in agriculture.
Road network development: Poor road networks connecting villages to towns discourage locals from engaging in large-scale food production. I had plans to mechanise food production, but the condition of roads like those from Lobone to Juba makes it challenging. The county government should prioritise improving and constructing road networks to facilitate transportation and production. This will reduce transportation costs, prevent damage to produce, and increase the efficiency of food production.
Lack of Skills: The agricultural institute in Magwi County is poorly managed, focusing only on academic theory, which limits the number of qualified individuals who join the field. To address this, training programs should be extended to grassroots levels, enabling more people to acquire the necessary skills. This will empower local farmers to adopt modern farming techniques and increase productivity and efficiency.
Poor Production Systems: The government should provide equipment relevant to the level of technical knowledge, such as tractors, ploughs, combine harvesters, planters, seed drills, sprayers, threshers, and cultivators. This will aid food production in Magwi County and help achieve food security. Modernising our farming systems will not only increase productivity but also reduce labour costs and improve the quality of produce.
Finally, If the county government addresses these issues, Magwi County can realise its potential and contribute to feeding Juba, reducing reliance on foreign food, and ensuring citizens' safety. The county and state governments should prioritise these issues to make food security a reality. With the right support and resources, Magwi County can become a food basket for Juba, and our citizens can enjoy the benefits of local food production. It's time for us to take control of our food production and ensure that our citizens have access to safe and nutritious food.
