Egypt, South Sudan discuss cooperation on agriculture

April 11, 2021 (JUBA) – The Egyptian minister of Agriculture, Assayed al-Qasir and his South Sudanese counterpart, Josephine Joseph on Thursday discussed cooperation on agriculture.

The meeting, held in the South Sudan capital, Juba, was a continuation of discussions that began in Cairo, Egypt in November last year.

The two leaders, according to media reports, discussed issues of interest in South Sudan, such as training and capacity building, animal production, vaccines, agricultural research and seeds.

During the meeting, the South Sudanese official presented facts about agriculture in the world’s youngest nation, the challenges and the investment opportunities.

Despite the huge agricultural potential South Sudan possesses, only about 5 percent of the country’s arable land is utilised.

For his part, al-Qasir said the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education will soon provide scholarships for South Sudanese students to study at the faculties of agriculture in Egypt, further adding that a joint agricultural committee was formed to follow up with implementing of what had been agreed upon in a Memorandum of Understanding to establish an integrated farm in South Sudan.

(ST)