The Governor of Lakes State has expressed full support for the establishment of a women farmers’ cooperative by donating fifteen ox-ploughs and two trailer motorbikes to women farmers from Yirol West County.
Chol Tong Mayay made the donation last Saturday after meeting a delegation of over 30 women from Panliet Women Farmers’ School in Yirol West County at his personal farm near Rumbek, Good News Radio reported.The Governor told the press that he was impressed by the women’s farming efforts.
The representative of the French Oil Company, Total, Thierry Labrouze, who supports the project, appreciated the partnership between his company, Diar for Rehabilitation and Development Association, the local authorities, and the women of that unique initiative.
He announced that the French Embassy will soon build classrooms at the Panliet Women Farmer’s School to strengthen farming and adult literacy classes at the Yirol West County-based School.
Diar for Rehabilitation and Development Association Director, Karak Mayik Denyok, expressed appreciation for the support the Government of Lakes State gave to women initiatives in the State.
The women farmers’ delegation also held a meeting with Lakes State Minister of Rural Development, Daniel Chol Koknyin, to request the Minister to officially recognize Panliet Farm as a Cooperative Union.
The Minister pledged to register the Farm as a Cooperative, promising to lobby the Ministry of Agriculture for seeds and farming tools to improve the agricultural initiatives of the women farmers.