Yei Farmers Await Tractors Promised by Government

(YEI) – Farmers in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State, are urging both the state and national governments to deliver on promises to support mechanised farming as the second crop cultivation season begins.

With South Sudan facing ongoing food insecurity, many in this agriculturally rich region say government action is urgently needed to improve yields, reduce hunger and boost local livelihoods.

Known as part of South Sudan’s “green belt,” Yei offers fertile soil and favourable weather for farming nearly all year. However, many farmers say their efforts are being held back by a lack of access to modern equipment, particularly tractors.

Alafi Moses, a farmer in Ronyi Boma, told Access Radio® that food insecurity continues to plague communities despite natural farming advantages. He believes the solution lies in mechanisation.

“We cannot achieve food security if we cannot implement practical steps on mechanised farming now. We are already into the second crop cultivation season. We call on the government to send tractors down to the farmers in the rural counties like Yei,” Alafi said.

Despite official statements promising support, many local farmers say they have seen no change on the ground. Peter Malish, a cooperative farmer, said they were told through media reports that the Ministry of Agriculture had procured tractors. But in Yei, he says, not a single one has arrived.

“We heard over the radio that the government has purchased tractors for farming communities. Where are these tractors? We have not seen even one in Yei,” Peter said.

Farmers argued that expanding mechanised farming would also help lower food prices and reduce the country’s reliance on imported produce, especially from Uganda.

Robina Khamisa, a local subsistence farmer, explained that women in Yei heavily depend on agriculture for survival but cannot manage large scale farming without proper equipment.

“We have already formed our women’s cooperative society with a focus on sustainable food production through mechanised farming. But we need tractors on the ground to boost our level of farming and food production in Yei County,” she said.

Efforts to contact the Central Equatoria State Ministry of Agriculture for comment were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, Destiny Farm International (DFI), a local farming cooperative, is attempting to bridge the gap through its Fedanten Farm Programme. Supported by funding and technical input from Islamic Relief, the programme aims to help farmers transition from subsistence to mechanised agriculture.

Lotigo Felix, General Manager of DFI, said the initiative will support 400 farmers during this second farming season. He said the aim is to reduce poverty and improve rural incomes in the aftermath of the 2016 conflict, which devastated the national economy.

“We work with local chiefs to identify farmers, plough up to two fedans [about 0.84 hectares] per household and provide seeds. The aim is to build self sufficiency through mechanised farming,” said Felix.

The Fedanten project focuses on increasing food availability, improving productivity and building resilience within communities still recovering from economic shocks.

The Central Equatoria State government has recently stated that it is prioritising agricultural cooperatives and mechanisation as part of a broader strategy to address food insecurity. At the national level, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources has confirmed the procurement of 100 tractors to support farming in high potential areas like Yei.

Vice President for the Economic Cluster, Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to agriculture, saying food production remains a national priority. He pledged financial backing for agricultural projects across South Sudan to support both immediate food needs and long term development.

The farmers in Yei, however, remain sceptical and insist that actual delivery of equipment is more important than promises. Many say the second farming season is already underway and time is running out.

Overview of the situation