The Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology has opened a rice research and training centre on the main campus in the Jonglei State capital, Bor.
A rice plantation initiative was also launched during a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday. The Korean peacekeepers with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Bor field office are providing technical support to the university.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abraham Matoc Dhal, told Radio Tamazuj that they initiated the project as a pilot to test the viability of rice farming and have their students equipped before they could embark on a large-scale project.
“This project is a rice project. We are trying to start testing rice farming. As a University of Science and Technology, we are trying to spearhead rice farming in this area,” he said. “Jonglei is a flood-prone area and rice is a crop that needs a lot of water. So we thought to make use of rice to benefit from the floods and to train our agriculture students.”
The Vice-Chancellor pointed out that the rice pilot project would help in the fight against food insecurity in the country.
“In fact, it (the project) is for research and training but if it succeeds next year, then we will do it on a large scale,” he said. “As an agricultural country, we need to test all the agricultural products so that we are fully involved in cultivating crops. If it succeeds, then our contribution towards poverty reduction and fulfilment of 17 SDGs, especially in the area of food security, will be effective.”
John Samuel Manyuon, the state cabinet minister, lauded the project, saying it will contribute towards the country’s economic prosperity.