Citizens in across Upper Nile, South Sudan failed to cultivate this year because of the ongoing conflict, a government official said Sunday.

Upper Nile State Minister of Agriculture Dhieu Chan told Radio Tamazuj Sunday that 9 out of 13 counties including Malakal and Nasser were too unstable for citizens to plant.

He said that the majority of citizens in those counties fled violent conflict.

Chan said that the national government in Juba has helped fund delivery of seeds and fuel to Renk, Akoka and Maban which are experiencing relative stability.

“The National Ministry of Agriculture provided seeds to farmers in June and also approved distribution of about 3,000 barrels of fuel in late August,” he said.

The official predicted shrinking acreage in this year’s agriculture season in counties, but said he still thinks the food production in secure counties could bridge the food deficit in Upper Nile.

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