By Adia Jildo
Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan — Confronted by erratic weather patterns and shrinking crop yields, farmers across Eastern Equatoria are increasingly turning to drought-resilient crops like sorghum and cassava to strengthen food security and protect their livelihoods.
In Owiny-Kibul village, Oyet Joseph, a smallholder farmer, has planted four fedans of millet and, for the first time, introduced sorghum after heavy rains destroyed his maize and sesame harvests last year.
“This year, I must harvest more to care for my family,” he said. “Sesame is delicate—too much rain or sun ruins it. But sorghum is different. That’s why I’m hopeful.”
Angee Grace, another farmer in the region, has diversified her crops to include cassava, sorghum, and maize. After harvesting maize, she transported it to Juba for sale. “Last year, the sun damaged a lot during the second season,” she explained. “So this time, I planted more and diversified to avoid total loss.”
This shift toward mixed cropping, combining fast-growing varieties like maize with longer-term staples like cassava and sorghum, is helping farmers hedge against increasingly unpredictable weather. Most households cultivate between 3–4 fedans, but changing rainfall patterns and delayed planting seasons are forcing a rethink of traditional practices.
In Obbo village, farmer Olal James planted three fedans of cassava, citing its reliability. “Cassava kept my family going last year,” he said. “Now, I’m planting more and considering sorghum for the second season.” Like many in the region, Olal is gradually reducing maize cultivation due to repeated crop failures linked to heat stress.
Cassava remains a staple in Eastern Equatoria due to its resilience and adaptability. While sorghum is a dietary mainstay in many South Sudanese homes, it has been less popular than maize commercially—until now.
Agronomists and local officials are encouraging a return to these hardy crops.
“Cassava retains nutrients and survives dry spells,” said Yoele Wani Alex, an agronomist. “Sorghum and cassava are both drought-tolerant and thrive under erratic weather conditions.”
Still, challenges persist. In areas like Panyikwara, Agoro, Majji, Ofrika, and Nyolo, a recent heat wave led to cassava rot, prompting fears of worsening food insecurity.
Manix Augustine Oloya Okalanga, Director of Agriculture in Magwi County, emphasized the need for immediate research into climate-resilient crop varieties. “If we don’t act swiftly, Eastern Equatoria could face mass hunger,” he warned.
While acknowledging the setback, Yoele urged farmers not to abandon cassava, describing the heat wave as an “exceptional event.” He called for greater investment in resilient agriculture and better infrastructure to minimize post-harvest losses. “Much food is wasted due to poor road access and inadequate storage,” he added.
The urgency is reflected in the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, which estimates that 7.7 million people—57% of South Sudan’s population—will face Crisis-level or worse food insecurity (IPC Phase 3+) during the 2025 lean season from April to July.
Once regarded as South Sudan’s breadbasket, Eastern Equatoria now battles climate shocks, farmer–herder conflicts, and insecurity—factors threatening national food security unless long-term solutions and support systems are urgently prioritized
