The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Western Bahr el Ghazal State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry launched a seed and tools distribution exercise targeting 30,000 households in Wau and Jur River counties on Monday.
The exercise was launched in Wau County’s Brinji Payam, and the seeds being distributed include sorghum, maize, onions, and tomatoes, among others.
Speaking at the launch, State Agriculture Minister Valentino Akech Akuar urged farmers to make good use of seeds.
“FAO will not continue providing the seeds, as you have heard from the head of the FAO field office. There will be a time when the UN agencies will not provide seeds, what will you do then? You have to cultivate the seeds you are given so that next year you will have produced your seeds,” he said. “You should not keep depending on NGOs or the government because when these NGOs go, you will be vulnerable.”
Minister Akech cautioned farmers against unnecessarily cutting down trees, which he said contributes to climate change.
“You know very well that there is climate change, and this is a result of cutting down trees, so we have to control this to avoid desertification in the country,” he advised.
On his part, FAO head of field office Tafiqul Islam said about 30,000 households will receive seeds.
“In Western Bahr el Ghazal State, especially in Wau and Jur River counties, about 25,000 to 30,000 households will receive inputs for FAO see,” he said. “Today (Monday), we have started with 1,000 households, and we are giving some seeds like sorghum, maize, cow peas, vegetables, and hoes. This will increase your production.”
“Some time back, you were taking seeds but not planting, so my request to all of you today is to immediately go and prepare your land and plant the seed,” Islam added.
He also urged the farmers to keep seeds for the next agricultural season because there will be no seed distribution.