Lafon Relies on Fishing as Crops Fail Again in Eastern Equatoria

(LAFON) – Local authorities in Lafon County say fishing has become a key source of food and income for residents, as recent seasonal rains have increased water levels and renewed aquatic activity in local rivers. However, they warn that a lack of modern fishing tools is limiting the full potential of this emerging livelihood.

Speaking in a phone interview with local media, Lafon County Executive Director Utong James explained that the rainfall in recent weeks has led to a significant flow of water from Torit into the Lafon River, creating ideal conditions for fishing. Communities across the county have since taken up fishing more actively to meet their food needs and earn income.

“Fishing activities have resumed as rainfall intensified,” said Utong. “The main challenge is the lack of proper fishing tools. The equipment provided earlier by the World Food Organization (WFO) has been damaged. Some residents are relying on outdated or traditional fishing methods.”

He added that while fishing is now playing an increasingly important role in daily life, without support in the form of modern fishing gear, the community cannot take full advantage of the opportunity. Utong specifically appealed for government and humanitarian partners to provide tools such as nets, hooks and other basic gear to improve fishing efficiency and sustainability.

“My message to the government and partners is simple. Please supply modern fishing gear like nets and hooks. These communities rely heavily on fish and local meat due to unreliable crop yields,” he said.

With crop production in Lafon often disrupted by erratic weather patterns and poor access to farming tools, fishing has become a more dependable fallback for many households. Utong stressed that the shift to fishing is not just seasonal but has become a vital alternative source of both nutrition and livelihood in the area.

He urged a coordinated intervention from the Ministry of Agriculture, humanitarian agencies, and local authorities to ensure that fishing as a livelihood can be sustained and developed further.

Fishing is increasingly being recognised in rural parts of South Sudan as a low cost but high impact livelihood activity, especially in areas where agricultural production faces frequent challenges. However, such efforts often rely on the availability of basic tools and infrastructure to make them viable.