Agriculture authorities in Tonj South County of Warrap State told people to keep their animals off fields.
Tonj South County Agriculture Director Daniel Mangong Arol told Radio Don Bosco that keepers should get goats, cows and donkeys away from cultivated areas.
He said animals found eating crops will be slaughtered and divided between the owner of the animal and the farmer.
Mr Arol asked youths and adults idling in the market or sitting under trees playing dominoes to take advantage of the rains and produce food for their families.
He said that World Food Program will help large landowners with beans, lentils, oil and dura for five months to pay their workers during the cultivating season.
Mr Arol invited local farmers to visit the government gardens to learn new skills and techniques to improve their own production.