By Alan Clement
The Governor of Warrap State, Bol Wek Agoth, has launched a tree planting exercise for planting 15,000 seedlings at the premises of the State Ministry of Agriculture.
The initiative, themed “Plant a Tree, Save Life,” implemented by the State Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with Natural Planters for Generations was launched by the Governor on Thursday August 21st,2025.
“Our people need to protect themselves from climate change, and planting trees is a sanctified mitigation measure,” Governor Agoth said during the launch of the initiative which is part of a nationwide initiative to plant 100 million trees across South Sudan with Warrap State expected to contribute at least 10 million trees.
According to the Governor’s office, the Governor pledged to make agriculture and environmental protection central to the state’s development linking the initiative to the country’s broader agricultural policies, noting that diversifying tree varieties could unlock commercial opportunities and improve community nutrition.
The State’s Acting Minister of Agriculture, Nyibol Ater Maror explained that the project was consistent with the national tree planting program, which aims to combat the effects of deforestation and strengthen resilience to climate shocks.
A representative of FAO in Warrap State reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the initiative. “We cannot fight climate change without fighting deforestation, and we will commit to disseminating information to institutions and schools across Warrap State in support of tree planting,” she said.
In a powerful closing message, Governor Agoth urged citizens to “denounce violence and embark on productive activities such as agriculture in all its forms.” He pledged to revolutionize the sector through farm mechanization, support for farmers’ unions, and access to micro-finance, describing these efforts as key to lifting communities out of poverty.
The launch event drew an array of attendees, including the Deputy Governor, State Ministers of Cabinet Affairs and Culture, Youth & Sports, Members of Parliament, senior government officials, international and national NGOs, and representatives of the State Farmers Union.
This initiative marks a significant stride in Warrap State’s commitment to climate resilience, agricultural development, and peacebuilding through community-driven action.