(YEI COUNTY) – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has handed over a new multipurpose farmers training facility in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State. The official ceremony was held on Wednesday in Gimunu Boma, four miles east of Yei town along the Yei Juba Road.
The centre, funded by the World Bank, is equipped with solar power and modern irrigation systems. It will function as a hub for farmer training, demonstration plots, crop storage and processing. Local authorities expect it to strengthen agricultural productivity and food security in the county, which lies within South Sudan’s fertile green belt region.
Central Equatoria State Agriculture Minister Lily Kapuki expressed her gratitude to FAO, the World Bank and the national government for their contributions. She pledged that the ministry will ensure the facility is fully utilised to help farmers increase production. Kapuki also called for improvements to the Yei Juba Road, which is vital for transporting farm produce to markets, and urged the national government to provide farm tools and seeds to support productivity.
The Minister encouraged farmers to embrace large scale farming and revealed that 250 fedans of land will be allocated for mechanised food production in Yei River County. One fedan is equivalent to about 0.42 hectares, meaning the project could cover over 100 hectares of farmland.
Kapuki also appealed for the establishment of a national agricultural research centre to advance innovation and seed development. She encouraged young people to engage in farming, noting that youth led seed companies could play a role in domestic seed multiplication, purchasing and distribution across South Sudan.
County Agriculture Director Asiki Isaac welcomed the facility, describing it as a milestone that will enable farmers to benefit from training, modern irrigation and crop processing. He said the centre could help reduce post harvest losses and improve food supply to local markets.
“This is a positive step for development in Yei,” Isaac said. “Farmers are encouraged to produce enough crops and take advantage of the training and equipment available.”
Local farmer James Loda praised the initiative, describing it as a relief for smallholders who have long struggled with limited access to training and modern farming methods. “This facility provides training in irrigation, processing and mechanised farming. We are extremely happy for this support,” he said.
The Yei training centre is expected to serve as a model for other counties, combining renewable energy, irrigation systems and processing facilities to support agricultural transformation.