Scorching heat and erratic rainfall in 2024 and 2025 have devastated crops across Eastern Equatoria, with Magwi County among the hardest hit.
Farmers report that meagre rainfall in recent years barely sustains maize, whereas cassava and sorghum prove more resilient.
Obbo Payam typically experiences two seasons, but the past two years have brought significant shifts. The first rains arrived in late April, two months later than the usual planting season, sparking anxiety among farmers.
Local farmer James Olal believes cassava and sorghum can bolster food security and economic stability. “This year, we’re finding a balance. We’re not abandoning maize—it provides quick cash for other needs—but we’re prioritising cassava and sorghum to combat hunger,” he explained.
However, cassava traders fear potential losses due to lower market demand compared to maize. Rose Keji, a Juba-based wholesaler dealing in cassava, potatoes, yams, and raw maize, expressed concern about the shift.
“People prefer maize. If farmers move away from it to cassava, prices could spike, and cassava might spoil in the market,” she said, noting her current struggle to sell existing stock.
Keji acknowledges cassava’s potential as a high-value crop to enhance economic prospects if farmers and traders receive adequate support. She urges cooperatives to promote value-added products to prevent losses from unsold raw goods.
Manix Augustine Oloya Okalanga, Director for Agriculture and Forestry, continues to advocate for drought-resistant crops as the region grapples with climate-driven drought.
“With the delayed rainy season, hunger looms. I urge farming communities to diversify and plant resilient crops to sustain themselves,” he stated.
In Lobone and Pajok, farmers are now tending to crops planted during the dry season. Last year, most grew maize, with families cultivating three to four feddans. However, an abrupt halt in rainfall in October disrupted the second season, severely impacting yields. rain.
