Authorities in Yei River state have received 20 tractors from the national government as part of 1,000 distributed by the President last year.

This comes about 6 months after farmers in the state expressed disappointment over delay in delivery of the tractors.

They had ‘lost hope’ that the machines would soon help the farming communities in the area.

Yei River County agriculture commissioner, Edmond Taban Gogo, told Eye Radio on Wednesday that the tractors would boost crop production this year.

“I’m happy that our production level is going to increase. Most farmers have prepared the fields and are waiting for the ploughing season,” Mr Gogo said.

Yei River is among a few states that have publicly confirmed receiving their share of the tractors.

Others include Terekeka, Jonglei and Jubek.

The tractors are part of the government initiative to fight food insecurity through mechanized farming in the country.

Despite the fact that over 90% of South Sudan’s land is arable, agricultural productivity remains extremely low in South Sudan, with 98% of farmers practicing subsistence farming, according to government officials.

It is estimated that South Sudan’s cereal yield per hectare is 300-400 kg, compared to 2,000 kg in Uganda, and almost 7,000 kg in the United States.