Former Lainya Commissioner Turns to Farming as Food Pressures Grow

(KUPERA PAYAM/LAINYA COUNTY ) – The former Commissioner of Lainya County in Central Equatoria State, Emmanuel Khamis Richard, has announced plans to focus fully on agriculture as South Sudan continues to face rising economic pressure and food insecurity.

Speaking in Kupera Payam, Khamis said the decision is aimed at improving household incomes, strengthening food availability and reducing dependence on employment in both the public and private sectors. He said agriculture remains the most reliable source of livelihood for many families and a key pillar of the national economy.

Khamis explained that he was a farmer before entering politics and has remained involved in agricultural activities throughout his public service career.

He said his renewed focus on farming reflects a belief that agriculture offers long term solutions to economic hardship facing communities across Central Equatoria and the country at large.

He said he is currently leading a farmers cooperative society known as Community Action Against Poverty, which has seventy five members. The cooperative is based in Kupera Payam of Lainya County and has developed a strategy for 2026 to produce food and cash crops on a larger scale.

According to Khamis, the cooperative aims to promote mixed farming to ensure enough food for household use while also producing surplus for sale. He said the group plans to grow food crops such as cassava, sorghum, beans, ground nuts, sim sim and other staples that are widely consumed in South Sudan.

He added that the cooperative also intends to invest in cash crops, including cocoa, coffee, sugar cane, lemons, bananas and pineapples. He said the fertile soil in Kupera Payam provides favourable conditions for diverse crop production, which could support both local markets and wider supply chains.

Khamis described farming as a profession that allows citizens to become productive and self reliant. He said politics should be a service to the people, while agriculture offers a personal and sustainable source of income and stability.

He called on political leaders across South Sudan to invest more in agriculture as a practical way to address food shortages and reduce reliance on imported food. He said strengthening local production would help keep resources within the country and support rural economies.

Khamis also urged young people to engage in agriculture as a way to overcome poverty and unemployment. He warned against involvement in criminal activities, saying such paths offer no lasting benefit to individuals or society.

As the rainy season approaches, he appealed to the government and humanitarian development partners to support cooperative farming initiatives. He said support should include quality seeds, farming tools, training, and access to equipment such as tractors, as well as financial assistance for organised cooperatives and progressive farmers.

He stressed that such support should be provided on time to match planting seasons and maximise production. He further called on national and local leaders to prioritise peace, dialogue, and reconciliation to create a stable environment for sustainable development and economic recovery.

Lainya County is part of South Sudan green belt region and is known for its fertile land and reliable rainfall, making it one of the areas with strong potential for increased agricultural production.