South Sudan farmers struggling amid fuel shortages, bird attacks

JUBA – Farmers in South Sudan’s Ruweng Administrative Area (RAA) are facing a double whammy of fuel shortages and destructive bird attacks, threatening their livelihoods and food security.

“We have a fuel crisis. We have bought one barrel of diesel fuel, 250 liters capacity, for 2,400,000 South Sudanese pounds,” said Mading Chol, secretary general of the farmers’ union in Ruweng.

The high cost of fuel, coupled with limited availability, is hindering farmers’ ability to transport their produce to markets and access essential agricultural inputs.

Additionally, swarms of quelea birds are decimating crops, further exacerbating the challenges faced by farmers.

“We are begging you as donors to join and together with our government to complete the inland port with the remaining 10 kilometers,” Chol pleaded.

Poor infrastructure, particularly the lack of roads, is compounding the issue, making it difficult to transport goods and services to and from the region.

Zubeida Zaka, acting chairwoman of Ajuong Thok Refugee Camp, highlighted the impact of flooding on the camp, further straining resources and food security.

“We call on the government and the host community to provide us with more land to extend our farms,” Zaka said.

Malual Jau, deputy paramount chief of Pariang, appealed for support to combat bird attacks and insecurity in the area, which has also disrupted farming activities.

Agriculture Minister Josephine Lagu emphasized the need for peace and stability to address the challenges faced by farmers.

“We must prioritize efforts to foster peace and stability in our country. Only through a secure environment can we empower our farmers to cultivate their lands and rebuild their livelihoods,” Lagu said.

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has pledged to provide aerial spraying to control the bird population and protect crops.