29/08/2026
Worry as dry spell scorches gardens in Maridi County.
By: Andrew Samuel Marisaga
Saturday August 29, 2026
Signs of crop failure caused by prolonged dry spells have triggered growing concern among farmers in several parts of Maridi County in Western Equatoria State, with residents warning of possible food shortages next year.
Farmers in northern and eastern parts of Maridi County say they have received rainfall only twice in August, raising fears that crops planted during the second rainy season may fail to mature.
The prolonged dry spell has reportedly affected major food crops, including maize, sorghum, millet, cassava, sweet potatoes and groundnuts, leaving some farmers already counting their losses.
The affected areas include Mabirindi, Kwanga and Mudubai bomas, where farmers say the lack of sufficient rainfall is threatening crop growth and raising uncertainty over the coming harvest.
The situation is also being felt in Maridi town, where traders from neighboring counties and states are reportedly purchasing maize in bulk. A basin of maize is currently selling for between 35,000 and 40,000 South Sudanese Pounds, according to traders and residents.
Farmers fear that if the dry conditions continue, local food production could decline significantly, forcing communities to depend increasingly on markets and food supplies from outside the county.
The development comes amid broader concerns over erratic rainfall and crop losses in parts of South Sudan. Recent reports from other parts of the country have also highlighted how prolonged dry conditions are affecting agricultural production and increasing fears of food shortages.
Farmers in Maridi are therefore calling for urgent attention from agricultural authorities and humanitarian organizations to assess the extent of the crop damage and explore possible support for affected farming communities.
With agriculture serving as a major source of food and livelihood for many households in Maridi, continued dry spells could have serious consequences for food availability and household incomes in the months ahead.