Donors to disburse $10 mln for agriculture in South Sudan
December 14, 2007 (JUBA) – The World Bank administrated fund of donors will disburse ten million dollars in agriculture and forestry project in southern Sudan.
The World Bank indicated that this amount will cover the 2 first years.
The fund commitment known as Support to Agriculture and Forestry Development Project (SAFDP) will cover Eastern Equatoria, Central Equatoria, Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity States.
The Vice-President of the government of southern Sudan, Riek Machar who officiated the ceremony said the MDTF support would go a long way to “lay the foundation of the revival of agricultural productivity in Southern Sudan” after the devastating 21 year civil war.
Machar further underlined that the government would use the oil revenue to develop agriculture.
Southern Sudan minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Samson Kwaje, launched the project in Juba on December 12, 2007 at the opening ceremony of the biannual meeting of the State Ministers of Agriculture, Animal Resources, Fisheries and Forestry.
Kwaje said his government aims to make agriculture contribute 25% of the GDP of Southern Sudan by 2011.
The World Band representative for the project, John Jaramogi Oloya, said willing to provide technical support for agriculture projects because it is the largest employer in southern Sudan. He further said that WB policy is to encourage governments — in agricultural-based countries — to invest in the productivity of the smallholder producers.
Southern Sudan has an area of 640,000 square kilometers and 70% of it is arable land. Agriculture and livestock employs over 85% of the population.
(ST)