By Yiep Joseph
Stakeholders, including civil society, have called on the government to stabilize security for farmers to meaningfully utilize the approved budget of 62 million South Sudanese Pounds (SSP).
On Wednesday, the economic cluster, chaired by Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, approved an allocation of SSP 62 billion towards boosting agricultural activities ahead of the upcoming rainy season.
The commitment by the government aims to confront the persistent threat of famine.
While addressing the media on behalf of the cluster, Lily Albino, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, revealed that the funds will support a 100-day farming activation exercise aimed at boosting food production, revitalizing farming systems, and laying the foundation for long-term agricultural sustainability.
Albino reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting farmers in the country to enhance production.
In response to this development, Ter Manyang, the Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), applauded the government for the initiative and urged them to focus on stabilizing security alongside the funding.
“This is a good step for the government to prioritize agriculture through framing,” he said.
Ter stated that farmers can not carry out farming activities while the country is facing significant insecurity, with people being ambushed and attacked.
“The government should focus on how to achieve peace and security before prioritizing agriculture, which will be impossible due to security threats across the country,” Ter said. “I’ m just wondering how the government will achieve this when there is insecurity everywhere; they need to focus on peace and stability,” he added.
On another note, civil society activist Edmund Yakani urged President Kiir to implement his government’ s pledges for agricultural development.
“We respectfully appeal for you to commission a National Agricultural Conference at least before the agricultural season starts,” Yakani urged last year.
“This should be taken seriously by honourable ministers of agriculture at both national and state levels. We should involve actual farmers to identify what they see as requirements for making agriculture succeed in 2025. It is essential.”
The country has imported nearly all food items since gaining independence in 2011.
As of April 2025, over 7. 1 million people face famine and food insecurity, with conflict and climate change being major contributing factors, according to humanitarian agencies.ian agencies.