The African Development Bank invested 8.1 million dollars to enable the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and South Sudan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to improve agricultural production for 100 000 households in South Sudan
The three notable institutions have launched an emergency food production Program – Project 1 (SSEFPP-1), designed to increase agricultural productivity and production aimed at strengthening institutional capacity to expand food and nutrition security in the country.
Principal Economist for AFDB South Sudan office Flavio Soares da Gama in a statement said that this intervention will boost local food production, strengthen resilience of food systems and mitigate short and long-term risks due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
On the other hand, Meshack Malo FAO representative expressed their gratefulness to the African Development Bank for their partnership in a very critical area of the country’s development at a critical time.
“Last year South Sudan produced an estimated 800 000 metric tonnes of cereals, much less than the roughly 1 300 000 metric tonnes it requires. We aim to assist farmers to meet the country’s needs, and then go beyond that, moving from an emergency response towards building resilience,” Malo said.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Honorable Josephine Lagu, commended the Ministry’s strong relationship with the Bank and FAO.
“I express reflective commitment and willingness of the national Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to work hand in hand with the African Development Bank and the implementing partner, FAO, and all other relevant development partners to ensure the success of this project,” pledged Lagu.
Components of the program will include the delivery of agricultural inputs, such as improved seed and fertilizer, extension services to farmers, the development of seed and fertilizer frameworks, and institutional capacity strengthening.
The program is expected to increase agro-processing, aggregation, and marketing of agricultural produce, as well as enhanced trade and export of agricultural products and produce.
