Emmanuel Khamis Richard, former Lainya County Commissioner and current head of the Community Action Against Poverty Agricultural Cooperative Society – courtesy photo.

Farmers in Lainya County of Central Equatoria State are calling on the national and state governments to support agricultural cooperative societies early, as the planting season approaches.

The farmers say getting help on time will increase food production and improve food security in the area.

Emmanuel Khamis Richard, who heads the Community Action Against Poverty Agricultural Cooperative Society in Kupera Payam, says farmers urgently need tractors, seeds, farming tools, training, and financial support, especially for large-scale farmers.

Khamis, a former commissioner of Lainya County, says early support will help farmers prepare their land on time and boost productivity.

“…on behalf of all the farmers in Kupera Payam of Lainya County in Central Equatoria State to appeal to the national and state governments and development partners that support agricultural cooperative groups and farmers to roll out clear and objective support across South Sudan.

“The support should include provision of equipment such as tractors, seeds, other agricultural tools, training, and financial grants for large-scale cooperatives and progressive farmers. The support needs to be early and timely to correspond with seasonal production,” he said.

He also urged the government and development partners to assess active cooperative societies at both national and state levels before the farming season begins.

“As such, the government and partners should be conducting nationwide assessments and verification of active cooperative societies and progressive farmers that are eligible for support. This should be completed by January and early February so that by mid-February, eligible farmers receive the necessary support,” he said.

Khamis added that the Community Action Against Poverty Agricultural Cooperative Society, which has 75 registered active farmers, has already drawn up its farming timetable for the 2026/2027 seasons.