MP Calls for Modern Farming Tools to Boost Agricultural Recovery in Mugwo

(MUGWO)— A member of the Central Equatoria State Legislative Assembly representing Mugwo Payam has called on the government and partners to support farmers with modern agricultural tools to help them rebuild livelihoods disrupted by years of conflict.

Speaking during a visit to the area, Lona Sadia said most farmers still rely on traditional tools, limiting the amount of land they can cultivate and the food they can produce.

“Our farmers are still using traditional tools, and this limits the amount of food they can produce,” Sadia said. “If they are supported with modern agricultural equipment, they can produce more, feed their families and supply markets.”

She called for tractors, improved farming equipment, quality seeds and other agricultural technologies to help farmers move beyond subsistence production, increase yields and produce enough surplus for local markets.

Sadia said agriculture remains one of Mugwo’s main economic activities and could become a foundation for the area’s recovery if farmers receive the support they need.

For families returning after years of displacement, she said, increased agricultural production could generate income to pay school fees, meet medical expenses and rebuild homes.

She therefore urged the government, development partners and humanitarian organisations to make agricultural support a priority as displaced communities return and begin rebuilding their lives.

Beyond farming, Sadia said Mugwo has other economic potential, including timber-related activities and possible mineral resources. Trees used locally for construction and income generation are reportedly sold across the border in Uganda, with some families using the proceeds to meet household needs, including school fees.

Claims of gold and diamond deposits in the mountainous areas of Mugwo, however, have yet to be confirmed.

Sadia said efforts to tap into these economic opportunities remain difficult because of the effects of conflict, which has displaced communities and disrupted livelihoods.

Many residents, she said, have fled to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while others remain in hiding in remote areas.

The displacement has made it harder for families to resume farming, access basic services and rebuild their communities, she said.

Sadia urged residents who are able to return to come home and participate in rebuilding, while stressing that lasting peace and stability are necessary for sustainable economic recovery.

“People need to return and take part in rebuilding their communities,” she said.

But returning home, she added, will not be enough without functioning basic services.

Sadia appealed to the government and humanitarian organisations to rehabilitate health centres, schools and other infrastructure damaged or destroyed during the conflict.

The MP also raised concerns about the conditions facing South Sudanese refugees in Uganda, saying many continue to experience serious economic and humanitarian difficulties, including limited access to food and education.

Some refugees, she said, are cultivating rented, rocky or otherwise difficult land, while some landlords reportedly demand additional payments after the first year, adding to the financial pressure on families trying to survive.

Meanwhile, Yei River County Commissioner Samuel Henry Malimbo urged young people in Mugwo to embrace peace, unity and cooperation as communities work towards recovery and development.