The Eastern Equatoria Governor said civil servants who defy government directives to cultivate their gardens on Friday and Saturday will face punishment.
Louis Lobong Lojore explained that state Government earlier in the year allotted Fridays and Saturdays for every civil servant to farm in order to liberate the people from depending on neighbouring countries for food.Mr Lobong said some civil servants are misusing Fridays and Saturdays to drink, and play cards and dominoes.
The governor said each ministry has set up a team to assess the involvement of the civil servants in cultivation.
Those who failed to work will lose two days of salary every week while the programme lasts.
Mr Lobong, who also cultivates three areas of Torit, Hatire and Kapoeta, said the punishment comes in accordance to the Public Service regulations for employees who are absent from duty.
Catholic Bishop Johnson Akio Mutek of Torit appreciated the initiative of Fridays and Saturdays for cultivation.
He said mechanisms would have been set early to check on those who do not comply.
The bishop stressed that some individuals oppose directives on baseless grounds to mislead others believe they are great.
Bishop Akio initiated farms in Imilai and Hatire.
He is planning to start other farms in Nagishot and Chukudum areas of Budi, Lowoi, Pajok and Magwi.
The two days of cultivation caused schools to close down on Fridays and poor turn-up of health workers on duty.
The state ministry of Education last week called on teachers to continue teaching for five days per week.