By Ajah Jennifer and Yien Gattuor

Unity State agricultural sector marked a new dawn after the State harvested its first yield of rice from the Bentiu Rice Scheme.

The rice project was launched in December last year, with aid from the Coalition for Humanity Organisation, to support the first of a kind of the agricultural program in the state with an aim of boosting food security and to improve farmers’ yield.

The project, which is based in the state capital Bentiu, covers seven hectares.

State minister of agriculture, James Gai said the bumper harvest was due to the commitment and hard work put in by the local farmers.

“We will multiply our seeds and in the coming years, depend on our locally produced seeds so as to remain sustainable,” he said.

Gai said the scheme is projected to maximize local rice production and increase market sales. “Some of the yield will be sold in the markets while the other will be consumed in the community,” he said.

The rice production has shade light to the state, which has previously been affected by floods during rainy seasons, displacing people and destroying property.