(Abyei) – Authorities in the Abyei Administrative Area (AAA) have declared every Friday a public holiday to support and promote agricultural activities throughout the farming season. The initiative is aimed at increasing productivity and encouraging community involvement in food production.
The temporary measure titled “Agriculture Day”takes effect from 27 June 2025 and will continue until 26 September 2025. It will apply to all government offices, institutions, counties, commissions, and administrative bodies operating within the Abyei Special Administrative Area (SAA).
The announcement was made in Circular No. (5) 2025, issued by the Secretary General of Abyei, John Ajang Kiir. The directive highlights the need for greater community participation in farming to help ensure a successful harvest.
While the holiday will affect most government functions, essential services such as hospitals, schools, community protection centres (CPCs), and private businesses will continue operations without disruption. The regular work schedule is set to resume on 3 October 2025, after the conclusion of the farming season.
The initiative is part of a broader recognition of agriculture’s importance in South Sudan.
Nationally, agriculture employs an estimated 95% of the population, though it still faces obstacles such as limited infrastructure, conflict, and the effects of climate change. Despite these challenges, the sector is seen as a major potential driver for economic recovery and self-sufficiency.
In recent years, local and regional authorities have taken various steps to reinvigorate farming practices, especially as South Sudan continues to rebuild from years of instability. Abyei’s decision to dedicate Fridays specifically to agricultural work is one of the first such official moves to carve out government time for farming.
The government hopes to foster both practical participation and a renewed cultural value for farming by giving civil servants and communities dedicated time to tend to their farms.
