A woman roasting sorghum in Greater Pibor (Photo/VOA).

 Authorities in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) are urging residents to start farming immediately, warning that reliance on food aid could leave the region facing hunger.

Jacob Werchum Juok, GPAA’s Information Minister, told Eye Radio on Thursday that many humanitarian organizations, including the UN, are scaling back operations due to funding shortages.

“Many organizations are pulling out because of the funding constraints. There is no funding; most have shut down their activities. The area is most likely to face hunger because people were depending on aid,” he said.

“We have made it clear to all citizens of Greater Pibor: they must cultivate. There is no other way of waiting for humanitarian organizations to bring food. People have to till the land to put something on the table.”

Juok said farming in the area faces serious obstacles, including poor road networks, insecurity, and shortages of seeds and farm tools.

“Lack of mobility is a major challenge. Roads do not connect all the counties, making it difficult to reach farming areas. Insecurity also limits movement, particularly in border areas. Seed shortages, caused by funding gaps among aid agencies, will affect many farmers,” he added.

The minister said the local government has deployed security forces to hotspot areas and is holding peace talks with authorities in neighboring Jonglei State. He also called on organizations to support farming initiatives in Greater Pibor.

Farming in the region has long been affected by cattle rustling, revenge attacks, and seasonal flooding, making timely cultivation a challenge for local communities.