Large scale grain farmers across Upper Nile region along the border with Sudan have incurred huge losses after quelea birds ravaged their grain farms last year, a situation an official blamed on the war in the neighboring country which rendered its trans-boundary pest control institutions dysfunctional and South Sudan’s inadequate early preparations.

Large scale farmers in Upper Nile have long battled against pests that threaten their crops.

But as the conflict in neighboring Sudan where agricultural activities have halted special in the White Nile region, this fight has even becoming even harder as Upper Nile has become a breading place for the birds that are also looking for food to feed on.

For farmers in South Sudan’s Upper Nile region, the lack of pest control compounded the difficulties they already face.

Resident of Kaka County in Upper Nile state, Tayeb Ajanq Okig who is one of the many farmers reeling from the losses recounted his ordeal to Eye Radio.

“I planted 3000 acres and lost about 2,700 acres because the birds ate and destroyed them.  I lost about 50 barrels. My losses amounted to SSP 100 million.

“This cost is without the seeds and the rest of the agricultural inputs. Here in Kaka, we have about 161 tractors and we planted 121 thousand acres”, said Ajang.

Another farmer Kur Dau Mayiik who said he invested tens of thousands of dollars has blamed the losses on the lack of support from the authorities to spray the birds.

As such farmers counted it upon themselves, but the cost of praying individually was expensive to affords.

“Most farmers did not spray pesticides this year because of the high cost, as the cost of the jerry can of pesticides and the expenses related to spraying reached two million pounds per hundred acres.

Upper Nile State Minister of Agriculture agrees with the farmers.

“The issue of the farmers is true, the delay in the spray plane affected the produce. This produce was going to be injected in the markets in South Sudan, and this year we have a number of refugees and returnees in the country.

He says the effects are being felt most acutely in several counties bordering with Sudan where the destructive quelea birds were more widespread last year.

The minister said the state was bracing for a bumper harvest due to sufficient rain when the state witnessed a surge in pests, particularly quelea birds that started damaging early-planted crops in Manyo, Kodok, Wadakona and Kaka areas in August.

He admitted the delays in the delivery of pesticides which later turned ineffective, couple with the breakdown of coordination with their counterpart in Sudan led to severe consequences.

“They sent a plane to spray pesticides but the pesticide they provided didn’t work.

Without the right pesticide, the birds continued to destroy the crops.

“The plane was forced to return to Juba without completing its mission. We need the right supplies to protect our farmers. If the government can’t provide the necessary pesticides, this cycle will continue”, the minister added.

The Food and Agriculture Organization or FAO, has been instrumental in helping South Sudan manage pests like locusts and birds, which often cause devastating damage to crops.

But as the crisis in Sudan intensifies, the region is seeing a halt in essential pest control operations.

According to FAO’s plant protection officer, the coordination between Sudan and South Sudan in combating pests has traditionally been strong.

However, with Sudan’s resources stretched thin due to ongoing conflict, the situation has shifted.

“Sudan has been a leader in pest control. They have extensive resources for migratory bird units and desert locust control mechanisms, which have helped keep pest numbers in check across the region.

“Now, the lack of pest control is creating serious problems for farmers, particularly in rural areas. If locusts or birds are left unchecked, they can wipe out an entire season’s worth of crops in just hours”, he said.

The ripple effect of Sudan’s conflict is clear: without coordinated pest control, food security in South Sudan hangs in the balance.

With the ongoing instability in Sudan, the resources necessary to combat pests and secure food supplies remain in short supply.

FAO, plant protection officer Mori said to address the challenges, FAO working closely with South Sudan’s government, is striving to put a more effective plan in place for the upcoming season, to prevent further crop loss.

“Last year, we didn’t plan well but this year, to make sure that we put a proper plan in place, and make sure that the farmers in those counties are supported in this coming season.

As we really know, the sub-Saharan Africa, if you didn’t manage it, it is really a cause for security issues.

But the resilience of its people—farmers, traders, and officials—offers hope. With more support, and with cooperation across borders, South Sudan can weather this storm and begin to build a more secure future for its people.