As South Sudan aims to improve food security through increased agricultural production, National Minister of Agriculture Josephine Lagu is appealing for 10 percent of the country’s budget to be allocated to the agricultural sector.
She appealed on Tuesday while responding to questions from parliamentarians during deliberations on the speech President Salva Kiir gave during the opening of parliament. In his speech, the president urged citizens to produce more food to combat hunger and directed the Ministry of Agriculture to revive agricultural schemes.
To implement the president’s directive, the minister emphasized the need for adequate funding for her ministry.
“We have responded to the president’s statement, but we urge the government to fulfill the 10 percent budget allocation required from all African governments,” she said.
The minister highlighted that 10 percent of South Sudan’s national budget should support the agriculture sector, including crop production, livestock, fisheries, environment and forestry, and irrigation and water resources.
“We need 10 percent of the budget invested in this sector to bridge the food gap, address flood threats, and tackle climate change, all of which impact agricultural production,” Lagu explained.
In 2003, during the African Union (AU) Summit in Maputo, Mozambique, heads of state and government pledged to invest 10 percent of their annual national budgets in agriculture. This initiative, known as the Maputo Declaration, aimed to achieve an agricultural yearly growth rate of 6 percent through the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
The 10 percent budget pledge for agricultural development has been reaffirmed in subsequent AU declarations, including the 2014 Malabo Declaration on accelerated agricultural growth and transformation for shared prosperity and improved livelihoods.
According to Lagu, the Ministry of Agriculture has a food preparedness plan that requires funding for implementation.
“We are also operationalizing the National Food Security and Nutrition Council, which President Salva Kiir will head. We have made significant progress in its preparation and we hope that once the president chairs this council, the country will pay attention,” she stated. “As the head of our government, his involvement is expected to significantly improve agricultural production and productivity.”
The minister further revealed that despite the ministry’s struggle with limited resources, it is currently supporting local farmers with small-scale resources, including agricultural tools and seeds for small-scale farming.
“Supporting our small-scale farmers has always been a priority for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Our farmers need farming tools, seeds, and peace to cultivate,” she said. “In partnership with our development partners, we are providing agricultural inputs to farmers. This support is ongoing.”