By William Madouk
Korean military contingent (Hanbit unit) of United Nations Mission in South Sudan demonstrates capability to combat hunger by partaking in farming.
At Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science in Bor, the Hanbit unit imparts farming techniques and operates farms to grow crops, to uplift South Sudan in agriculture.
The unit, planted four types of Korean and African varieties of rice in July, on 1,150 square-meter plot of land inside the university compound, which is now being harvested.
Kee Choon Kim, the head of the Korean mission in South Sudan said that they had been doing this for two years and now they are planning to extend to Central Equatoria state.
“In any country, no government can spoon feed her people, the government is responsible for infrastructure, education and hospitals, and the road construction then for their own living – the individuals exert their efforts to produce food,” Kim said in an interview.
Kuol Manyang Juuk, Senior Presidential Advisor said the rice scheme program will improve food insecurity, and economic status as well as provide employment opportunities for many young people.
“This harvest event has seen the hope that South Sudanese people can grow their own rice and become independent,” said Juuk.
“We look forward to establishing farming and vocational schools in South Sudan with support from Hanbit unit in the future,” he added.
Meanwhile, Col. Kwon Byeong-guk, commander of Hanbit Military Engineering Corps, said the harvest is a great hope to the people of South Sudan.
“It will be an opportunity for the Hanbit Unit and the residents of South Sudan to celebrate the successful rice cultivation and deliver hope to South Sudan,” he stated.
Mr. Byeong-guk highlighted that Hanbit would now resume vocational training.
Byeong-guk explained that 40 agriculture students including five residents were trained at Hanbit Vocational School.
According to him, the ‘Hanbit Vocational School limited its operation due to flooding, adding that the unit built a lecture hall at Dr. Garang varsity for practice theory, rice testing and cultivation sites.
Korea first deployed the Hanbit unit in 2013 to help maintain peace and assist in recovery efforts in the East African country, which has been rocked by a civil war.