South Sudan launches major policy toward food security

South Sudan on Wednesday launched its first ever policy on agriculture and livestock extension services in a bid to achieve food security and transform peasant agriculture to market-oriented production.

This came in the aftermath of the more than two years conflict that has left more than 5 million facing food insecurity.

The country has over 30 million livestock and hopes to grow 2.5 million tons of food annually from 1.5 million tons.

According to the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, James Duku, the National Agriculture and Livestock Extension Policy (NALEP) will prioritizes livestock and fisheries development to help tackle food insecurity.

"It is focusing on extension services in the livestock and fisheries sector to transform this country into economic prosperity," Duku explained in Juba.

He revealed the country is faced with food insecurity that has driven thousands of South Sudanese into neighbouring Uganda and Sudan in search of food.

South Sudan depends on oil exports to finance 98 percent of its fiscal budget and largely imports all its food for consumption depleting its already plummeted hard currency reserves amid inflation staggering at 300 percent.

Augustino Atillio, Director General in Ministry of Livestock said the extension services will help in value addition and marketing of farmers' products. He added the project will also benefit them with knowledge and research.

"These will help equip farmers with knowledge and skills to boost their production and create a linkage between farmers and buyers," Atillio said.

Atillio added that for this to succeed requires logistical and financial support and infrastructure meaning without donor and government funding it may struggle to achieve desired objectives. Endit