Agriculture Department Sets Up Two Irrigation Demonstration Sites in Yei

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – The Department of Agriculture in Yei River County, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, has established two irrigation demonstration centers aimed at boosting dry-season farming.

Speaking to Access Radio, the Director of Agriculture in Yei River County, Asiki Isaac, said the initiative is designed to equip farmers with practical skills and increase vegetable production during the dry season.

Isaac explained that the two irrigation demonstration sites are located in Gimunu and Alero in Mugwo Payam.

“Farmers need different sets of skills and knowledge. In Yei, we now have two demonstration irrigation sites — one in Gimunu and another in Alero in Mugwo Payam. These irrigation systems will help farmers engage in farming during the dry season. As a department, we pushed for the establishment of these systems to reduce the shortage of vegetables during the dry season,” Isaac said.

He encouraged farmers to embrace both modern and traditional irrigation methods as a way to generate income and improve sustainable livelihoods.

Isaac added that the department has deployed community extension workers to train farmers on the proper use of modern irrigation technologies, including drip irrigation systems.

“At the two irrigation sites, the purpose is to train farmers on how irrigation systems can be used. Currently, we have drip irrigation where crops are planted under pipes. We also have groups of extension workers working at these sites to train farmers on how to use the irrigation systems during the dry season,” he explained.

He further noted that there are plans to establish more demonstration sites across all five payams of the county.

According to Isaac, the existing demonstration sites have already helped reduce vegetable shortages in local markets.