South Sudan Yambio fears famine this year

Mar 28, 2006 (NAIROBI) — Farmers in Yambio say they expect famine this year, as insecurity in the county and Western Equatoria at large is preventing them from working on the farms.

Farmers in this area normally plant ground nuts, maize and other crops in March. But the chairperson of Yambio Farmers’ Association, Bernard Kpasira, says that due to recent attacks by suspected Lord’s Resistance Army rebels, people have been avoiding their farms for fear of being attacked.

Kpasira told Sudan Radio Service (SRS) that most farmers are spending a lot of time hiding in the bushes to avoid attacks and possible abduction by the suspected LRA.

He also said many refugees and IDP’s are expected to return to the state, increasing the chances of food shortages in the area.

Kpasira urged the Government of Southern Sudan to improve security in the state and to provide seeds to the farmers to help prevent the feared famine.

(SRS/ST)