Youth Urged to Embrace Agriculture to Tackle Economic Challenges in Yei

(YEI, CENTRAL EQUATORIA STATE) – A progressive farmer in South Sudan’s Yei River County has called on young people to take up agriculture as a means of addressing rising economic challenges, unemployment and food insecurity.

Speaking to Access Radio on Friday morning, Peter Jamba Mariata encouraged youth to actively engage in farming as the first crop season gets underway. He emphasized the critical role young people play in national development, describing them as the backbone of the country.

“We the youth are the backbone of this country, and we should utilize our energy on productive activities, especially agriculture, which is also the backbone of this country, so that we address the economic challenges facing us,” he said.

Mariata also appealed to the government to improve security and road infrastructure to enable farmers to access their land and transport produce more easily. He stressed that stability is key to boosting agricultural productivity in the region.

In addition, he called on development partners and non-governmental organizations to support local farmers by providing essential agricultural inputs and tools.

“To the government, we just want security so that we can move freely to our farmlands. And to development partners like NGOs, we ask for support to youth and farmers through the provision of agricultural inputs so that we can fight food insecurity and the economic crisis,” he added.

Yei River County, often referred to as South Sudan’s food basket, lies within the country’s green belt and is known for its fertile soil and favorable rainfall, making it well-suited for agricultural production.