Youth in Lainya Prioritize Agriculture, Call for Stable Security

(LAINYA COUNTY) – The Chairperson of the Lainya County Youth Association, Emmanuel Khamis, has announced plans to launch agricultural farming projects through cooperative societies across all the five Payams of Lainya County.

Speaking to Access Radio via phone interview Monday morning, Khamis said the initiative aims to tackle food insecurity, poverty, unemployment and promote peaceful coexistence among young people in the area.

“We encourage ourselves to invest in agriculture through cooperative societies to eradicate poverty and address employment opportunities because most of our youth are not employed. Coming together through cooperatives will make it easier for us to overcome these challenges. It will help us sustain our families with enough food and pay school fees for our children,” Khamis said.

Khamis emphasized that cooperative farming will allow youth to pool resources, share knowledge, and increase productivity. With Lainya County located between Juba and Yei, the area falls within South Sudan’s green belt known for its fertile soil and favorable climate for crop production.

The youth association believes that large-scale farming can significantly reduce reliance on food imports while creating sustainable livelihoods for young people.

Khamis called on development partners, government institutions and well-wishers to support the initiative to promote sustainable development in the county.

He also urged county and state authorities to prioritize peace and security, saying stability is essential for successful farming activities.

“We ask the government to look into the issue of cattle keepers in the area because places with cattle keepers in the greater Yei region have affected farming. We ask the government to ensure that these cattle keepers peacefully vacate the area because we are interested in farming this year,” he added.

Youth leaders stress that without improved security and resolution of land-use conflicts, farming efforts may face serious challenges.