By Bida Elly David
South Sudan government has laid out a strategy to meet heads of agricultural organisations to discuss ways of improving the level of food security across the Country.
This development transpired during a meeting between the acting foreign minister, Hon. Deng Dau Deng, and Meshach Malo, the Country representative of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).
South Sudan has been embattled by consistent food insecurity as the Country’s production scheme has been impeded by many factors, such as climatic change and conflict, among others.
Despite the natural and man-made disasters that became stumbling blocks to food security, some areas in South Sudan have not given up farming with the help of partners such as the United Nations and other local organizations.
The delegation is expected to land in Juba on July 30th and stay until August 2nd, 2023, before leaving the Country.
In a statement, the acting foreign affairs minister said the government is in preparation to receive Heads of Rome-based Food and Agricultural Agencies in Juba.
He said the visit will include the heads of the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Dau further said the visitors, upon arrival, shall meet the vice president for economic cluster, Dr. James Wani Igga, and thereafter fly to Aweil to see the irrigation scheme projects to see how they can work on their improvement.
The minister also stated that the experts, after touring the irrigation scheme project, will have a meeting session with the farmers where they will interact and listen to the challenges being encountered in executing the project.
“We are very impressed with the level of arrangements to welcome our principals. This will be a very great opportunity.” Dau said, “They will have a meeting with the Vice President, Dr. James Wani Igga, and then they will visit Aweil to see Irrigation Scheme projects and also interact with farmers, women, and youth to see how the work has been done under Food Security and Nutrition.”
For his part, Mr. Meshach Malo appreciated the Minister for the arrangements that have been put in place, stressing that they will showcase South Sudan at the International Arena.
Meanwhile, the director of International Organizations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Natalina Edward Mou, described the UN diplomats’ mission as an important historic visit that will be followed by a field visit to the States.