Farming Revival in Central Equatoria Driven by Security

(ARU JUNCTION) – Stability in Central Equatoria region is supporting a quiet but steady agricultural boom along the key Juba–Uganda highway, with farmers and traders in Aru Junction reaping the benefits of improved local food production and increasing market access.

Abawu Lorna, a trader at a local market in Aru Junction, is among the many who have seen significant change. Her small stall, which helps support her unemployed husband and five school going children, is now stocked with produce sourced locally rather than from across the border.

“We used to buy all commodities from Uganda,” she said, “but since farmers have improved production here, we are now sourcing locally at a cheaper price.”

Her experience is part of a wider trend being highlighted by Radio Miraya, the UN run broadcaster operated by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), which is drawing attention to both the gains and remaining challenges in areas like Aru Junction.

The town is located along one of South Sudan’s busiest and most strategic highways connecting the capital Juba with Uganda. This corridor serves as a major route for essential goods, including food and building materials, and the constant movement of people and goods is creating market opportunities.

Central Equatoria’s long rainy season, stretching from April to November, allows for two harvests per year. Combined with the fertile plains around Aru Junction, the area is proving increasingly attractive for farming and trade.

According to local community leader Sultan Isaac Ladu Sarafino, peace is playing a vital role in encouraging agricultural activity.

“When there is enough food, there is no violence,” he told Radio Miraya during its Community Conversations programme.

He said that although access to credit remains a challenge for many farmers, the relative calm in the area is allowing them to grow food for both household use and sale.

That calm is also encouraging former residents to return and restart their lives. Betty Ropani, who fled to Uganda when fighting broke out in Yei in 2016, has since resettled in Aru Junction. With land allocated to her by local authorities, she now cultivates maize and tomatoes.

“I want to acquire more land so that I can support my children still in Uganda,” said the mother of four. She believes that even a small loan could help her expand her farming activities.

Betty was one of several community members who gathered at the Aru Junction Administration office during a UNMISS outreach event.

Residents expressed concern about insecurity in other parts of the state that is preventing them from expanding trade.

“We want to connect with other areas and trade there,” said one resident. “But, for now, we are separated by insecurity.”

Local authorities are calling for stronger security measures to ensure safe movement of goods and people beyond Aru Junction.

Boma Administrator Andama Zakeyo Hussein praised the Nepalese peacekeepers patrolling the area.

“Your presence in this area gives us confidence,” he said. “We would like to see more of this across the state, so we can open trade corridors for our farmers and traders.”

Local and imported produce shift reflects the broader economic trend: