SOUTH SUDAN – The Aweil Rice Scheme, a once-promising agricultural initiative in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, is facing imminent collapse due to a lack of funds, essential agricultural inputs, and unprecedented flooding.
Madut Agei Deng, the scheme’s manager, has warned that rice production for the 2024 season is likely to fail, citing several critical challenges that have left local farmers unable to ensure successful crop cultivation.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Deng highlighted the dire situation, explaining that the scheme’s partners, mostly local farmers, are struggling to secure funds needed for timely weeding, a crucial step in rice cultivation.
Without adequate weeding, the rice crops are unlikely to reach maturity, leading to significant losses. Deng also pointed out that the heavy rains have further exacerbated the problem, flooding many of the recently cultivated fields.
“The success of the Aweil Rice Scheme is now highly unpredictable. Weeding activities have not yet been carried out because farmers lack the necessary funds. Additionally, the ongoing heavy downpours have inundated areas where rice has just begun to sprout, almost guaranteeing crop failure,” Deng stated
The Aweil Rice Scheme, established in the 1940s by the British Colonial Administration, originally spanned approximately 11,000 feddans (11,440 acres).
However, the current cultivated area has dwindled to just 200 feddans (209 acres), a stark decline from its peak years. Deng emphasized that without intervention, this once-productive scheme could become a relic of the past.
The situation is further compounded by the failure of the management to revive the water control systems that regulate the water levels within the scheme.
These systems are vital for protecting crops from either drought or excessive flooding, ensuring a stable environment for rice cultivation.
Deng stressed that the lack of functional water control mechanisms has made it nearly impossible to predict any positive outcome for this season’s crop.
For the Aweil Rice Scheme to have any chance of survival, Deng has called on the government and development partners to step in with urgent support.
He outlined the need for improved seeds, sufficient funding, and manure, as well as the recruitment of qualified irrigation and agronomy engineers. According to Deng, these professionals are essential to revitalize the scheme and restore it to its former glory.
“The future success of the Aweil Rice Scheme hinges on the provision of the right resources and expertise,” Deng noted.
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