S. Sudan targets 2m metric tones of food after independence

July 6, 2011 (JUBA) – South Sudan seeks to increase its food production to nearly two million metric tones in three years, as part of the government’s strategy to ensure food security in the country, Anne Itto, the Agriculture and Forestry minister said on Wednesday.

The new strategy, Itto revealed, also seeks to ensure that food production increases from three to 12 bags per fedan in the next three years. A fedan is an agricultural term used to describe an area of arable land in a given season.

“As some of you may be aware, food security has been a key priority for the Government of South Sudan. In order to implement this, plans are under way to increase average food production to two metric tones in three years and this can be made possible,” Itto assured journalists at a press briefing in Juba, the southern capital.

The South is due to become independent following a successful self-determination referendum in which its population overwhelmingly chose separation. The vote was a key part of Sudan’s 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which ended over two decades of war between North and South, in which two million people died.

South Sudan, the agriculture and forestry minister said, currently has three systems of agricultural production operating within the region, citing the traditional rain-fed agriculture, mechanised large-scale system of using tractors and small scale irrigation systems.

However, increased agricultural productivity, the minister said her government had embarked on a “seven-point strategy”, which involves creating a conducive legal and policy issues, reviving dilapidated agricultural institutions, constructing feeder roads, increasing investment in agricultural sector as well as renewed partnership with donors and the private sector.

In May this year, the South Sudan jointly signed a communiqué with a consortium of development partners, consisting of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Netherlands, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC).

The document, according to a section seen by Sudan Tribune, sought to promote food security and develop the agricultural private sector in South Sudan.

“The parties listed (hereinafter referred to as the “Parties”) do hereby declare the intentions to support the Government of Southern in their efforts to transform farms into businesses,” the 6 May communiqué read in part.

The minister further lauded the US government for its continued support towards South Sudan, saying its involvement recently concluded self-determination referendum proved to be an important milestone for southerners who overwhelmingly voted for separation.

Itto revealed that there will be an agriculture show in September 2011. “We decided to organize the exhibition on agriculture activities so as to provide knowledge and livelihood”. The minister hoped that would be sustained in the society and transferred to coming generations and noted that the exhibition would also focus on demonstrating potential of varieties of agro forestry and mixed farming practices to farmers, local leaders and a general public.

(ST)