Rejaf farmers ask government to tackle insecurity, cattle migration

By Simon Deng

Farmers in Rejaf Payam of Juba County urged both the Central Equatoria State and the National Government to help address insecurity and disruptions caused by cattle herders in order to boost food production.

“As farmers our problem is insecurity, random cattle movement and attacks by armed men in the bush that is what is happening and that is leading to food insecurity. We need government to provide solution,” said David Jada Agustino, a vegetable farmer in Rejaf on Wednesday.

“We have serious issues, farm lands are being demarcated and in the coming few years there will be no space for farming in Budegwe to Kansuk area in Rejaf, so we ask the government intervene to find a solution,” he added.

Lilian Kaku Angelo, the Assistant Director of Rejaf payam, said that procedures for land acquisition should be done by local chiefs in coordination with the local government.

Agustino Martin, the Director of Horticulture in the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Forestry in Central Equatoria State, said they are powerless to stop movement of errant cattle herders and called on the national government to help resolve the issue.

 “We call for the return of security situation to normalcy; the farming lands must be protected. Rejaf is fertile and it can produce enough food to feed the entire country,” said Martin.