Anisa Trading Director Calls on Government and UN to Purchase Surplus Food Before Spoilage

By Jackson Gaaniko Mathew

Gabriel Mathew, the Managing Director of Anisa Trading Company, popularly known as Gabi Tourist, is urgently appealing to the South Sudanese Government, UN entities, and global partners to procure the excess agricultural goods from his expansive farm before they perish.

Situated in Gangura Payam, Western Equatoria State (WES), Gabriel’s farm covers an extensive area of 8 km by 6 km and produces a diverse range of crops, including maize, rice, tomatoes, onions, watermelons, and beans.

During a recent press briefing at his farm, Gabriel stressed the immediate necessity for action to prevent his harvest from going to waste. He implored the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, UN bodies like the World Food Programme (WFP), and other international organizations to acquire the surplus food both to reinforce food security initiatives and to support his struggling agricultural enterprise.

“My aim in agriculture was to lessen South Sudan’s reliance on imported food from neighboring countries like Uganda, Kenya, and Sudan,” Gabriel explained. He cited the escalating exchange rate of the South Sudanese pound against the dollar and President Kiir’s call for citizens to prioritize agriculture as a sustainable remedy to the nation’s food difficulties as his driving factors.

Initiated in early 2024, Gabriel’s farming project has yielded substantial quantities of crops, yet financial limitations have imperiled the farm’s long-term sustainability. “I’ve personally financed this entire venture from my resources,” Gabriel revealed, disclosing that despite utilizing his tractors and trailers for farming operations, the upkeep expenses have become burdensome.

In addition to financial hurdles, Gabriel’s farm confronts external obstacles like pest invasions, such as armyworms, and restricted access to crucial agricultural inputs. He urged the Agricultural Bank, USAID, the World Bank, WFP, UN agencies, and the South Sudanese government to step in by purchasing his produce, preventing its decay and wastage.

Hon. Alison Barnaba, the Minister of Agriculture in WES, applauded Gabriel’s endeavors during the media event, hailing his work as a model for other farmers and entrepreneurs in the state. “Gabriel is setting a solid example in our quest for food security. He is showing that we can domestically produce what we need and reduce our dependence on imports,” Barnaba praised.

Yambio County Commissioner, Hon. Mbiko Barakato, echoed this sentiment, urging the national government to back Gabriel’s agricultural initiative and similar ventures. “This is precisely the type of endeavor our government should be supporting. Gabriel’s farm has the potential not only to sustain Western Equatoria State but also to significantly impact the nation’s food supply,” he asserted.

Gabriel’s plea arises at a critical juncture for South Sudan, where food insecurity persists as a significant concern. With the peak of the harvest season underway, his surplus produce presents an opportunity to address local food shortages, but without immediate buyers, a substantial portion faces the risk of spoilage.