Nzara Communities Share Responsibilities to Overcome Challenges in Agriculture

By Benjamin Takpiny

They needed economic growth, better farming methods, and yet were crippled with limited resources, but the Al-Wehida, a group of farmers in Nzara County of Western Equatoria sought unity as their way out of poverty.

Despite using outdated farm implements, the group of more than three-dozen farmers have turned the challenges they faced into strength, combining their hands, hearts, and wisdom to reap profit from their land.

With team work, the absence of modern farming tools became less of a challenge as the group members work individually on their farms and then collectively on joint agricultural projects, advising and helping each other out in different ways, Christine George, a 30-year-old mother of four, who is part of the group, told The Dawn.

“Today, we will go to one person’s garden, and another day we will go to someone else’s,” George said. “After finishing with those, we come together to work on the group’s farm,” she said.

Her unity with other members has helped boost George’s farming, increasing the subsequent economic proceeds.

It’s a culture which has spurred development in a nation like China. As a Chinese saying goes, “Unity is strength” for George, through coming together with her neighbors, the bellies in her household are filled daily and children can get a decent learning as well.

“I don’t have any other job besides farming. I get what I need for food and my children’s school fees from farming,” George said.

“The group has been supporting me because I don’t have the father of my children. I’m able to pay for my children’s school fees with the money I earn from the farm,” she said.

“Before the group, I only cultivated two feddans, but now I have four feddans with the help of the group, and hopefully, it will increase.”

Several of the Al-Wehida group have expressed similar sentiments, relishing how uniting together has redefined their farming prospects.

The initiative started small, with members gathering at a water source and discussing the challenges faced in their households and possible ways forward, Luka Bero, the group secretary told The Dawn.

“We decided that since we have nothing, we should go and cultivate for others in their various locations. “For example, we gather and go to one farm today, and another day we go to someone else’s. After finishing at one place, we realized we need to group together to cultivate as a team,” Bero said.

“The money we earn from the garden helps us pay for our children’s education. It is our livelihood; without it, we can’t provide for ourselves. We plant, we sell, and then we use some of the profits to pay for school fees, while the rest helps us buy many things we lack,” he said.

 “The cultivation has been very beneficial. We plant maize, and after harvesting, we use the money to pay for school fees and other necessities.”

According to Justin Baiwo, the chairperson of the Al-Wehida group of farmers, the benefits of working together has been immense, especially in financial gains to the members.

“I think we’ve been cultivating maize, cassava, and rice for about three years now. Our group is progressing well, and my own farm is thriving,” Baiwo said.

“If you visit our area, you will see people coming from Yambio, Maridi, and Rumbek with large sacks, searching for maize and peanuts. They take these goods to Juba, and this helps support my family.”

Like George and Bero, Baiwo too pays school fees for several of his children and uses the balance to fix other domestic needs.

“I have seven children—one girl and six boys. The eldest just finished senior four this year, while the others are in P8, P7, and P5. I’m supporting them with my earnings from farming. I don’t have any other business; I solely depend on the farm,” he said.

“Farming is benefiting me because I’m able to pay the school fees for my children. When I need something, I go to my store and bring out a sack of maize or a sack of groundnuts to sell at the market.”

Baiwo said his leadership has empowered many mates in progressing in their livelihoods.

“People benefit from my policies within the group. I emphasized that each member should have their own farm. We plan to help each other, dedicating days to assist with gardening. The group has embraced this idea, and we work hand in hand,” Baiwo said.

“I encourage them that to succeed in this world, one must take a hoe and work in the garden.”