Lakes state governor calls for increased agricultural production
May 17, 2012 (JUBA) – The governor of Lakes state, Chol Tong Mayay, has declared every Friday during this rain season as a half working day at all level in state government institutions, in order for employees to join their respective families in cultivating the land.
There is a worsening food crisis due to insecurity, an influx of refugees and failed crops. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) have said that “If conflict continues to cause major population displacements and food prices keep rising, the report estimates that the number of people who are severely food-insecure could double.”
The FAO-WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment report shows that for 2012, 4.7 million people in South Sudan will be food-insecure. This is an increase of 1.4 million since last year.
“It is now time for every government constitutional post-holder to go to his or her farm every Friday in the afternoon – this is time for the Lakes state people to dismiss hunger […] through cultivation,” said Mayay.
The directive also instructs state government employees to continue their private work in gardens on Saturdays and Sundays.
This year, the government of Lakes state has prioritised agriculture, education, security, health and infrastructure as key areas to be improved before the 2015 election. Mayay also urged the public to be self-reliant and cautioned youth against getting involved in tribal conflict and cattle theft.
Lakes state has been subject to significant insecurity, often in cattle rustling along ethnic fault lines. In February the vice president of South Sudan, Riek Machar together with governor of Lakes, Unity and Warrap states all converged in Lakes state to discuss cattle rustling and border issues affecting neighbouring counties.
(ST)