Dear Okidi,

Greetings please,  it is good ideas and important discussions about El Nino and Seed Aid. Despite of El Nino phenomenon occurs every 5-7 years, its effects on agro environment in this millennium is a big concern. Farmers’ experience and expectation for crop yield this year 2015 is horrible due to terrible sun burn effects. Many farmers in South Sudan complained of their crops have been burnt particularly in areas of Boma, Kapoeta, and Ikwoto along borders with Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.
This terrible phenomenon will imposes higher risks of hunger especially among the rural poor smallholder farmers who rely on rain-fed agrarian system producing staple crops such as sorghum, maize, millet, beans and cowpeas.

It is equally not agreed that seed aid is a sole solution for recovery, the climatic change as a result of global warming putting crops on stress and generalized inflation in poor states that are economically vulnerable.

Therefore El Nino effects on agro-environment in particular, requires researches on non GM drought resistant crop varieties as well as engaging in climate smart agriculture involving farmer resilience.

 The impact of El Nino is negative on socioeconomic development; seed stock depletes (seed insecurity) due to repeated sowing as a result of sunburn and or use of seed stock for food as harvest are likely to decline and prices increase on seeds and food stuff.  In some areas conflicts and rate of crimes are likely to escalate.

Regards,

Joseph Faustino Mokorondere

Agro Field Officer

ICRC-South Sudan


The ICRC - working to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. Find out more: www.icrc.org

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