The government in collaboration with the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and partners on Thursday launched a two-day livestock and agricultural exhibition in Terekeka County of Central Equatoria State.
The two-day show aims to promote local livestock production by awarding owners of healthy sheep and goats with cash.
Onyeti Adigo Nyikech, the Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries, said the objective of the show is to create awareness among pastoralists on the economic significance of livestock.
“The objective of the livestock show is to create awareness among livestock owners on the economic importance of livestock,” he said.
The minister said it also aims to increase the resilience of livestock owners.
“The show will promote skills and perception of cattle owners targeting the economic chain of their animals as well as increase their resilience in managing livestock and improve their livelihoods,” he said.
Emmanuel Ryomot Awan, the Terekeka County Executive Director, admitted that Terekeka has a lot of livestock which the people seldom benefit from.
“We have thousands of animals but we do not know how to use them beneficially, he said.
Meanwhile, Meshack Malo, the FAO representative said the agency is committed to improving the quality of animals.
“As FAO, we are going to work together to improve the breed and quality of milk and meat,” said Malo.
On his part, Ambassador Marjan Schipper of the Kingdom of Netherlands urged livestock keepers to adopt commercialization to discourage the culture of importing meat from neighboring countries.
“With this rich livestock resource, I am amazed that South Sudan still imports livestock products including meat from neighboring countries,” said Marjan.