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How did your interest in Sudan start?
I was first made aware of south Sudan’s troubles through Lady
Caroline Cox, a Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords in London, England.
She took me to Sudan in a “Slave Redemption” trip which revealed
to me the horrors of 20 th century slavery – a reality I was almost
unwilling to accept. We went on several subsequent trips, taking journalists,
Canadian and others, with us.
Was it risky?
Yes. We were in combat areas, and had a few close calls, but most often
we travelled with SPLA soldiers who acted as guards. We slept in the open,
or sometimes in tents, and the guards slept at the foot of our beds. We
were often on the spot within a few days after the slave raids from the
north, and witnessed death and destruction in many villages.
Why are you not now “Freeing Slaves”?
Certainly the potential for fraud existed.
Because I detected what I thought might be fraud by one southern Sudanese
leader. He appeared to be having peasants from the south posing as slaves
and given ‘stories’ to
tell.
I asked the leadership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement
to investigate. They found it was true and discouraged further slave redemption
activity. I immediately halted further ‘Slave Redemption’ trips,
even though thousands of genuine slaves were still in chattel servitude
in the north of Sudan. One of those involved in the fraud finally confessed
his part in the fraud to Dr. Samson Kwaje, Minister of Information
in south Sudan.
Have you wasted money on these “false” slaves?
I’m quite sure I did not. Our subsequent “slave Redemption” trips
did not involve that leader we suspected. Two subsequent trips we had
planned for slave redemption fell through. It appears that the fraud
was just developing during that period. Those planned trips were with
agents we trusted who were retrieving the slaves from the north. An
article I saw in a newsmagazine in which over 1,000 slaves were retrieved
in one operation made me to realize that logistically, that would not
have been possible. I felt they were duped.
What made you change your activity in Sudan?
Mr. Steven Wondu, then representative from Southern
Sudan to Canada, the USA and the United Nations suggested I become
involved in development. Between the two of us, we designed what is now
known as The Savannah Farmers Cooperative. This was to establish large
mechanised farms for mass food production. There still are about three
million people living on the edge of starvation. Traditional hand-hoeing
and planting cannot catch up to the need.
How will these farms benefit the southern Sudanese?
The farms will produce hundreds of acres of food, such as maize (corn),
sorghum, millet, beans, ground nuts, cassava, highland rice and other
grains. This will be made available for local sale to Non-government agencies
which supply food for emergency feeding at costs considerably less than
that imported and flown in from around the world.
What about the struggling farmers with just a few acres?
Our tractors and implements are made available
to them, provided they adequately clear the land of roots and rocks
dangerous to the upkeep of the tires and farm implements. This makes
it possible to quadruple their own crops, thus raising more food than
they need, giving them opportunity to improve their life style – school,
housing, amenities.
Are you doing emergency feeding?
No. Although we have great respect for the
need for agencies doing emergency feeding, we feel that the future must
also figure in the plans in addressing the food deficit. The longer
emergency feeding takes place, the ‘dependency
syndrome’ will be more deeply ingrained. By our starting this now,
the more quickly the people of southern Sudan will have their dignity
restored as they become self-dependent. As far as we know, we are the
only agency internally addressing the long-range development of food
resources.
Is no one else is growing food?
Yes, many small farmers have returned to their traditional lands. But
they are mainly using hand tools. Some oxen are being brought in to plough.
This allows for subsistence living only. The need for food far out measures
the capability of the few who have been able to re-settle since the CPA
in January 9, 2004. Massive farms are essential to kick-start the economy.
These farms will spin off new agriculturally based enterprises.
Are there no other large farms in southern Sudan?
I know of only one commercially based farm on the Maridi road outside
Yei. It is being run by South African farmers.
While I (Cal Bombay) was at 100 Huntley Street,
we gave tractors and implements to three missions which would manage
their own farming activities. Each of them was an already-established
and successful ‘mission’ led
by Sudanese. One was in Mundri, another is in Torit, and another is
operating in Liwolo, 40 km from Kajokeji. These farms have not been
required to report to the Savannah Farmers Cooperative (SFC) Board of
Directors.
How many farms does the Savannah Farmers Cooperative have in
Sudan?
Four farms are directly responsible to the Board of Directors of the
SFC. Each has a manager with staff. They are located at
Logobero , outside Yei,
Moje north/east of Lainya,
Morobo , half way between Uganda border and Yei, and
Romogi , on the outskirts of Kajokeji.
As of June 2006, we have just begun a new farm at Bori,
not far from Kajokeji.Others are in the planning stage.
What does it cost to launch a new SFC farm?
It costs approximately $200,000 for each new
farm. This includes the initial establishment of a compound, clearing
of no less than 100 acres, tractors and implements, and salaries for
the first eighteen months of operation – after which it is expected
they will be self-supporting under the regulations of the SFC.
How large are the farms?
None has reached 200 acres at this point (June 2006). Each year more
land is cleared, and the acreage increases. As the acreage increases,
so does their financial foundation. Some of the farms have the potential
of eventually 12,000 acres or more. Some of the SFC farms provide ploughing,
harrowing, planting and cultivating under contract to small land-holders,
or to government agricultural schools or enterprises.
Who owns the SFC farms?
They are Cooperative farms. No one person
or group ‘owns’ them.
It is expected that the profits from the farms will be rolled back
into further development, either the farm making the profit, or through
the Board of Directors, for the opening of new farms. At this point,
every farm is still developing toward the target of expenditures being
less than the income from produce and contracts with other growers.
Who provides overall management?
Mr. Steven Wondu, a CPA and former Auditor General of South Sudan has
been doing that work. Mr. Zamba Duku, Speaker of the House of the Legislature
of Equatoria has recently taken it on until we find a qualified full-time
Sudanese General Manager.
From Canada, because Cal Bombay Ministries
provides the support for the development of these farms, I monitor all
the farms through reports submitted to CBM, and through constant contact
with the Bank in Uganda which handles all the SFC farm accounts. The
slow introduction of internet café services is now making this
more efficient.
Do you still go to Sudan?
Yes. I take at least two
trips a year to monitor crops, fields, manager’s
accomplishments, accounts and to sit with the Board of Directors
of the SFC in our regular meetings. I am co-chairman of the
Board of Directors with Mr. Steven Wondu. Dr. Samson Kwaje is
the Secretary-Treasurer of the SFC.
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