Jonglei minister denies state negligence over food shortages

September 30, 2011 (KAMPALA) – Jonglei state has not contributed to the current food shortages the state minister of Agriculture and forestry, Mayen Ngor Atem, told to the Sudan Tribune from Bor on Friday.

Atem attributed this year’s low food production to floods that he says had engulfed the entire state. Jonglei has not neglected agricultural lands and has rendered assistance to farmers over the last year, the minister said.

South Sudan’s parliament heard on Wednesday from the federal minister of Agriculture and Forestry that 1.3 million people, mainly from Jonglei and Upper Nile states, are at the close to starvation due to insufficient harvests and hiking prices of food in the new country.

South Sudan became independent in July as part of a 2005 peace deal.

Asked whether Jonglei state neglected suitable areas that could have helped in increasing food production this year, minister Atem said his ministry distributed enough tools to peasant farmers.

“No. No. No. There is no neglecting,” minister Mayen said. “All areas received seeds and tools” he said.

“The issue this year is that the onset of rain was late, there was moisture deficit and then [late] heavy rains [caused] flooding and the whole state is now flooded,” he added.

Presenting a report on the food shortages to lawmakers in South Sudan capital, Juba, Betty Achan Ogwaro, the South Sudan minister of Agriculture and Forestry said the blockage of north—south Sudan border has played a role in this year’s food scarcity.

In Jonglei state like Upper Nile has a poor road network that impedes government responses to tribal clashes is also preventing the supply of items to most affected areas, Minister Atem. South Sudanese returnees from north Sudan in the build-up to 9 July independence returned after the cultivation period had elapsed, he added.

The minister said the government intended to construct roads, install flood control measures, ensure security in the state and intensifying campaigns to encourage farming activities in the largely pastoralist communities of the state.

Deadly cattle raids are common in Jonglei state and government efforts to curve the practice have not succeeded. The state minister said that now South Sudan is an independence country it has an obligation to protect civilians.

Atem said Juba is doing its best to quell insecurity in Jonglei but declined to provide details.

(ST)