By James Innocent
Youth of Yei River County in Central Equatoria State are being encouraged to engage in farming as a means to eradicate hunger this year, rather than joining armed groups.
Likambo Peter, a local youth, expresses his support for agriculture, urging all young people in the area to participate in farming.
“I encourage all young people to join agriculture in the county as a way to combat hunger, despite the many challenges we are encountering at this time,” he stated.
Peter further advises young individuals to refrain from joining gang groups that often resort to drug use, such as marijuana, marungi, and tramadol, which can be harmful to their health.
Darab Felix, the executive director and founder of Destiny Farm in Yei, emphasizes the urgent need to address hunger across the country.
He calls on all citizens to unite in the fight for food security.
He comments, “We all know that hunger is a pressing issue nationwide. It’s important for everyone to focus on agriculture, especially in 2025.”
He also notes the mixed implications of food prices, indicating that while high prices may benefit farmers, they pose challenges for consumers. Therefore, he insists that everyone should prioritize agricultural activities this year.
Dara adds, “We are currently supporting farmers in ploughing their gardens in Yei, creating a great opportunity for them to produce enough food this year.”
However, he acknowledges the difficulties they face, including insecurity, poor transportation, and extreme weather conditions affecting their farmland.
He believes that focusing on agricultural projects is the best way to combat violence in the region.
Additionally, he encourages the youth of Yei to concentrate on agriculture and calls on the government and NGOs to provide support for agricultural initiatives.
Earlier this year, during a tour of all five payams, Yei River County Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme urged citizens to prioritize agriculture to enhance food security, despite the challenging economic situation.