By Waure Eddy
In a landmark gathering held on 5th November 2025 in Yambio, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment, Letecia Benito, welcomed a promising agricultural initiative led by Mr. Isaac Oja, a native of WES and representative of Pro-Seed Company.
The visitor, the acting Governor H.E. Justin Joseph Marona, marked a pivotal moment in Western Equatoria’s push toward food self-sufficiency and rural economic revitalization.
The state Minister Hon. Letecia Benito Kpafu Barfu introduced Mr. Oja as “a son of the soil” whose return to Western Equatoria brings hope to farmers and youth alike.
“We are blessed to receive a guest who brings a very good project—a seed company that will help our farmers,” said the Minister. He emphasized the government’s role in enabling private sector investment to create jobs and reduce youth involvement in criminal activities. “We cannot employ everyone, but we can empower investors to create opportunities,” he added.
Mr. Isaac Oja, finance head of Pro-Seed, outlined the company’s strategic pivot from seed production to maize grain cultivation. Operating in the state since 2020, Pro-Seed now aims to mobilize farmers for commercial maize farming using hybrid seeds and tractors.
“Our goal is to reduce reliance on imports from Uganda and Tanzania by producing our own food,” Oja stated. He called Western Equatoria “the food basket of South Sudan” and urged farmers to lead by example.
Acting Governor Marona expressed strong support for the initiative, highlighting its alignment with the state’s environmental and economic goals. “We are satisfied with the company’s commitment to climate stabilization and tree protection,” he said. Discussions also covered the domestication of agro-industrial products and the potential for Western Equatoria to supply regional and international markets.
Justin Marona noted that the initiative could significantly improve the state’s GDP and living standards. He acknowledged local concerns about fertilizer use but praised the technical explanations provided by experts.
“We need organic products that can reach markets like Dubai,” he said, calling for a balance between productivity and sustainability.
The evening concluded with a unified call for peace, reconciliation, and youth empowerment. “We as a government are striving to stabilize peace and support initiatives that uplift our communities,” said Marona.
This collaboration between Pro-Seed and the government, signals a new chapter for agriculture in Western Equatoria, one rooted in innovation, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
