The local authorities in Maridi County in Western Equatoria State say there is an increase in the scale and scope of agricultural activities in the county this year due to improved security.

Speaking to Radio Tamauj on Wednesday, Miri Alfred Mathius, the commissioner of Maridi County, said that in the past, farmers were scared to go to the farms due to insecurity but the prevailing security and calm since the middle of last year has made farmers resume cultivation.

“All the farmers are busy engaging in agriculture because the security is good and people are cultivating. This is happening in Maridi because the rains have already started and most people have planted maize, groundnuts, and other crops,” he said. “The local government and some partners are supporting the farmer cooperatives by giving them tools and seeds to make their work easier.”

Commissioner Miri urged local chiefs to allocate farmlands to the local people to engage in agriculture without hindrance.

“As the local government, we encourage chiefs to give every household one to one and a half hectares of farmland for subsistence and commercial farming,” he urged. “We do not want anybody to be lazy, we want everyone to get into agriculture and become self-reliant instead of depending on others.”

A big farmer in Maridi, Joseph Baraka, lauded the local government and security forces for ensuring the county's security and stability. He said the prevailing peace has encouraged farming.

“During this time of cultivation, people are happy because of the stability in the area. I appreciate our commissioner and other local government leaders who have encouraged us to engage in agriculture,” he said. “If the security is stable, agricultural activities increase because people will have no fear and go to their gardens freely.”

“I only appeal to partners that support farmers to distribute seeds early,” Baraka added.

Maridi County lies in the green belt and was renowned for agriculture before the conflicts in Sudan and later South Sudan.