Achievement of food security in Southern Sudan
By Jacob K. Lupai*
February 6, 2009 — On Friday the 30th January 2009 in a meticulously planned event the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) announced to the public with a delight the distribution of tractors and implements to the ten southern States to increase agricultural production in the effort to achieve food security. It was a memorable occasion which took place at Kapuri some seven miles or so from Juba city centre on Juba-Rokon-Jambo main road. The importance of the occasion was marked by the presence of the Indian Ambassador to Sudan, a high level delegation of the GOSS and State Ministers, and the Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria State who is also the State Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Animal Resources and Fisheries. Of significance was the presence of the GOSS Minister of Finance which was a strong indication of the GOSS commitment to agricultural development in order to achieve food security in Southern Sudan. The Chief of Kapuri was present and so did very important members of the public.
The occasion was made colourful by a church choir which entertained the distinguished guests with classical music that one wouldn’t know it was a church song except for the frequent mention of God and possibly Jesus Christ. I enjoyed the music but did not follow what was being sung. Champagne was missing for the celebration on such a very important occasion. One notable hiccup, though, was the absence of Southern Sudan (SS) TV. However, it was deemed unacceptable that the SSTV was absent on such a historic occasion marking a very important event on the programme of agricultural production to achieve food security in Southern Sudan. To the relief of all the SSTV crew arrived with minimum delay.
Speaker after speaker stressed the need to achieve food security in Southern Sudan and also to increase production for external markets for the badly needed foreign exchange for development. The tractors and implements which were from India hence the presence of the Indian Ambassador to Sudan were lined up in different locations as in an exhibition for distribution to the southern States. All expressed joy that the tractors and implements would go a long way to address food insecurity in Southern Sudan. However, in the enthusiasm to get the tractors and implements out to the field without delay there seemed to have not been any mention of maintenance and repairs if the tractors and implements broke down in the field. Even in the proposed criteria for the distribution of the tractors there was no mention of maintenance and repairs. Presumably the contractor from India would supply spare parts and mechanics for the maintenance of the tractors and implements in case of a breakdown. It could be that maintenance and spare parts would be part of the package in the distribution of the tractors and implements to the States. However, according to one part of the proposed criteria for the distribution of the tractors and implements the State Ministry of Agriculture should supervise the allocation to associations and groups. The role of the Stare Ministry of Agriculture may need to be further clarified. The tractors were of 40 to 70 horse power (HP). The implements included disc ploughs and harrows, seed drills, sprayers, ridgers, trailers and rotavators. Each State would receive seven tractors and a number of implements to be distributed to farmers’ groups in the counties. Let’s only hope that the tractors and implements do not end up with individuals who have no farming experience.
The GOSS Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the States Ministries of Agriculture should receive high commendation because they are in the forefront in the effort to achieve food security in Southern Sudan. It should, however, be noted that the GOSS Ministry of Finance has a crucial role to play by the timely disbursement of the needed funds in the approved budget. Sometimes the Ministry of Finance may be difficult when for example money may be available for other contracts but not available for agricultural activities that are vital in the achievement of food security. It remains to be seen how we in Southern Sudan will achieve food security. We have talked a lot about development now it is time for action. At this juncture I would like people to note or they may have been already aware that food security is not only food production as may be implicated by the distribution of tractors and implements. Food security should be seen from a holistic angle. Livestock production, fisheries development, forestry conservation and employment to mention but a few should also be seen as factors or activities that contribute to food security. Infrastructures such as roads, storage and market places also contribute to food security. Agricultural production without good feeder roads in the rural areas may likely affect food security. Adoption of improved technologies in production is also vital in achieving food security.
The definition of food security may be of some help in conceptualising factors or activities that are central to the achievement of food security. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations “food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”. The above definition of food security is comprehensive and inclusive of the various activities in achieving food security. It looks from a holistic perspective for a multi-sectoral approach in ensuring food security. It is not only farming that is the answer to food insecurity. Rural people could also diversify and be engaged in off-farm and non-farming activities to earn the necessary income to have access to food in order to be food secure. In Southern Sudan food insecurity is a product of low agricultural production and low incomes.
It is hoped that the distribution of the tractors and implements to the southern States will boost agricultural production and incomes to achieve food security. It was also good news when the GOSS Minister of Agriculture and Forestry announced with confidence that more tractors, a total of 300 by the end of the year, are on the way to Southern Sudan. This may really be an agricultural revolution in the history of Southern Sudan. It is now four years of the six years of the interim period of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that things are at last picking up. This can only be a sign of good hope for better things to come to make a difference in a period marred with allegations of corruption. One other good hope for better things to come is the demolition of illegally constructed structures in Juba. Land grabbers must have now come to their senses. This gang of criminals have terrorised law abiding citizens for too long that they should never ever again be allowed to get away with their criminal activities. The Government of Central Equaroria State headed by Major General Clement Wani Konga and all peace loving Southern Sudanese should be highly commended for this noble endeavour to promote peaceful co-existence among citizens. The demolition exercise is a clear indication that never again will land grabbing be entertained. Land grabbers should be made to understand that their primitive behaviour will earn them a period behind bars unless they reform and be respectful. It was a pity that some few ethno-centric arrogant individuals known for their greed and nepotism tried to promote lawlessness in Equatoria. For land grabbers things will never be the same again.
Southern Sudan will achieve food security if Agriculture is truly accorded the status it deserves as the backbone of the economy. More often than not Agriculture has been offered a lip service although a very important sector in the economic development of Southern Sudan. Facts on the ground seem to suggest that counties in the States which are centres of agricultural activities are devoid of technicians and professionals to promote production. Instead of employment downsizing sometimes is recommended. There is insufficient trained cadre at the field level. Resources for the mobility of staff in the field are wanting and field staff do not have accommodation in the counties to enable them to interact with farmers in advising and working together to increase production to achieve food security. Agricultural machinery was unavailable as expected. However, the now concerted effort by the GOSS Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is very welcome.
One positive aspect in the agriculture sector is that the GOSS Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the State Ministries of Agriculture are determined and committed to make the year 2009 a year of difference in food production. It may be a good omen as the South nears the zero hour to the referendum to take place in two years time, 2011. It is important for us to take the lead in fostering the spirit of self-reliance in food production. Southern Sudan is a blessed nation with virgin lands to be exploited for the benefit of its people. Climate change is not yet a very worrying problem as we can promote the afforestation of our land and apply sustainable farming methods. We do not need to invent the wheel so to speak. Technologies are available out there. The availability of tractors and implements is one.
One other positive development was the announcement of the formation of Southern Sudan Food Security Council under the Chairmanship of the President of the Government of Southern Sudan. The membership according to the introduction is evidently composed mainly of the GOSS Ministers. This seems to suggest that the Southern Sudan Food Security Council is more or less the Council of Ministers for Food Security. It was not clear whether the Food Security Council included others. It would have been appropriate for the Council also to include professionals and experts in the field of food security to help the Council in making informed decisions. We may need a council or a think tank of experts but not exclusively of Ministers who may be novices when in-depth knowledge of professionals and experts is all that is needed in a technical field such as food security. This is not to negate the role of Ministers which is very crucial in pushing through policies and in soliciting the needed funds. However, time and the outcome will be the judge of the effectiveness of the Southern Sudan Food Security Council in increasing agricultural production for higher incomes to farmers to improve their living conditions.
We in Southern Sudan can make some difference by making the year 2009 a year of change of being self-reliant in food production. We are the masters of luxuriant tropical vegetation and rich soils that we can make the change if we are determined and committed not to be prisoners for life of dependence, ignorance, nepotism and corruption which is so rampant in this part of the globe. The GOSS Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has made that giant first step. Let’s not look back but forward let’s march to achieve food security in Southern Sudan in our life time.
*The author is a regular contributor to Sudan Tribune and can be reached at [email protected]