By Hou Akot Hou
Farmers in Aweil East County, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, are appealing for urgent support as prolonged dry conditions threaten crops and livestock across several rural communities.
Residents of Malual-baai Payam say poor and irregular rainfall has left crops withering in the fields, raising fears of severe food shortages in the coming months.
Executive Chief Yel Yel Kuol said communities in the area have little hope of harvesting meaningful yields this year following the decline in rainfall.
He urged the state government and humanitarian organisations to support communities with agricultural and water-management initiatives, including the construction of large water ponds, locally known as haffirs, to support vegetable production during dry periods.
“I would suggest that the government engage the partners so that they dig the haffirs for us so that we can raise vegetables, as we have almost forgotten about fresh produce this year.”
Chief Kuol said the situation was particularly concerning in Rum-wel and neighbouring areas, including Majak-Paluiel, Tiit-Ubiet, and Warapac.
He said rainfall had become increasingly erratic after heavy rains stopped in May, leaving crops exposed to prolonged dry conditions.
“I am appealing on behalf of the community to think twice about our situation. There is little we can do because most of the areas I have mentioned are severely affected by the lack of rain, and crops are withering and drying up,” he said.
Kuol also warned that the lack of water and pasture was affecting livestock, saying some ponds had dried up and vegetation was becoming increasingly scarce.
He said the drying of water sources could put livestock at risk if the situation continues.
The concerns are not limited to Aweil East.
The director general in the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Santino Bol Akot, said the government was aware of crop failures linked to extreme weather conditions across several parts of the state.
Akot said the problem was affecting communities in Aweil East as well as parts of Aweil North and Aweil South counties.
“We are fully aware of what is happening in most areas in the state, which are negatively impacted by drought,” Akot said.
He said the ministry planned to convene an urgent meeting with humanitarian and development partners to discuss possible interventions for affected communities.
“We will call for a meeting with partners to devise ways to deliver any humanitarian support to them,” he added.
The agriculture official also encouraged communities to focus on livelihood and resilience activities that can help them cope with recurring climatic shocks.
He said agricultural support should go beyond emergency assistance by helping farmers develop sustainable means of producing food and generating income.
The situation has also raised concerns about the wider environmental impact of prolonged dry conditions.
Agriculture and forestry authorities have continued to discourage indiscriminate tree cutting, warning that deforestation contributes to the loss of vegetation and wildlife habitats and can worsen environmental vulnerability.
For farmers in Aweil East, however, the immediate concern remains the survival of their crops, livestock, and households as they await possible government and humanitarian assistance.