Peace Advocate Urges Youth in Yei to Embrace Agriculture to Tackle Unemployment and Crime

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – The Director for Peace Building in Yei River County is calling on young people to prioritize agriculture as a sustainable solution to unemployment and rising crime in the area.

Banja Wani said increased youth participation in agricultural production can significantly boost income generation, strengthen food security and support broader economic development initiatives within the county.

“As youth, you have the potential to transform the county, and we have the potential to create our own jobs through agriculture. People ignore agriculture, but it is one of the most promising economic activities. We need commercial agriculture where our youth form groups to address unemployment and poverty. I encourage the youth to engage in agriculture and stop being members of youth gang groups,” Wani said.

Wani emphasized the need for young people to organize themselves into cooperative associations to commercialize agriculture. According to him, working in groups would enhance productivity, improve market access and create sustainable livelihoods.

Commenting on peaceful co-existence, Wani also encouraged youth to unite through sports, cultural and creative activities.

“Youth can do better through football to unite us. We also need youth to discover other peace-building activities through culture, traditions, and creative initiatives that can bring young people together—for example, participating in traditional dances in Mongo. These are activities that can help youth live peacefully with one another.”

Wani made the remarks on the sidelines of a youth peace dialogue held in Yei Town, bringing together youth groups from Sopiri Boma and Rumojo Boma. The dialogue, hosted at the ECSS Guest House, aimed to resolve local misunderstandings among young people from the two bomas and promote peaceful co-existence at the community level.

Leaders say empowering youth through agriculture and social cohesion initiatives remains key to building long-term stability in Yei River County.