E. Equatoria MP storms parliament with 500 pawpaws to show increased food supply

September 25, 2013 (TORIT) – Magwi County Member of Parliament Peter Otim Karlo on Tuesday delivered 500 ripened pawpaws in parliament to prove to his fellow law makers that there is plentiful supply of food in Eastern Equatorial in 2013.

Otim explained that the purpose of delivering to the fruits to parliament was to prove that this year around there will be no famine in Eastern Equatoria as there has been increased production of food in the state.

The legislator said that his constituency- Magwi County- is a major supplier of pawpaw and other agricultural products to the capital Juba.

The Chairperson of Agriculture Committee in the State Assembly, Okumu Robert Agany attributed the increased agricultural output to the on-going work on the Torit-Magwi road which has eased transportation.

Okumu commended the Chinese company that has started grading the road to Lobone adding that more food from Lobone would now be supplied to areas in and outside of the state.

He urged other members of the state parliament to market agricultural products from their constituencies to enable farmers to earn from their work and boost not only the state but also the national economy.

Five counties in Eastern Equatoria state were last year hit with food scarcities due to erratic weather. The national government and United Nations agencies intervened to address the food shortages.

(ST)