Farmers in Yei Urged to Prepare for First Planting Season

The county, located in the green belt region of South Sudan, has started receiving steady rainfall since the beginning of the year. Residents of Yei welcomed another heavy downpour on Monday afternoon, expressing optimism for the upcoming agricultural season.

Askiki Isaac, Director for Agriculture and Forestry in Yei River County government, described the early rains as a major opportunity for farmers.

Speaking to Access Radio, he said the rainfall marks the beginning of land preparation for the first crop planting season expected in March. He noted that Yei could experience early rains similar to those seen in 2015 — conditions that favor both food and cash crop production.

According to Isaac, farmers should take advantage of the rains now by clearing and preparing their fields in time for planting.

The Director advised farmers to focus on crops that perform well during the first planting season, including: maize, groundnuts, vegetables, cassava, beans and rice.

He emphasized that planting these crops early can lead to better yields and improved household incomes.

With rainfall already underway, agricultural officials hope farmers across Yei will mobilize quickly to maximize production during the 2026 growing season.