S. Sudan’s Kiir says farming will address economic hardship

March 19, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir has advised citizens to turn to farming in order to address the country’s economic hardship, worsened by the ongoing conflict.

“We need to look to what we can do by ourselves. I urge our people and private sector to double their efforts in tilling the land, starting from this agricultural season, and to earn our living from our land rather than depending on oil and importation of food from the neighbouring countries,” Kiir told a public rally organised in the capital, Juba on Wednesday.

He said it was unlikely the economic situation would have improved immediately, had he signed a peace agreement with the armed opposition leader rebel, Riek Machar.

“The oil prices are likely to remain low for some years to come, as the supply of oil in the world is high and demand is low. This leaves us with few options for addressing this economic hardship”, said Kiir.

He said his government bought 1,000 trucks to plough several hectares of farmland.

Currently, only about 4% of South Sudan’s arable land is reportedly utilised for agriculture, yet over 70% of the country’s population are engaged in the sector to improve their livelihoods.

In 2013, however, the country’s agriculture and forestry ministry announced strategies for a comprehensive master plan, seeking to revive the largely dormant sector, as part of plans to diversify the country’s economy, which largely depends on oil revenues.

(ST)