The governor of Aweil East state has called for an increase in domestic agricultural production to avoid a food shortage in 2017. 

“We need to fill our market with the products of our own domestic producers, and it should be done quickly in order to ease pressure on the food market, decrease prices”, said Deng Deng Akuei, governor of Aweil East state in an interview on Wednesday from Malualkon.

Deng said that army Cheif of Staff Paul Malong's effort for large scale farming should be embraced. South Sudanese should be pushed to grow more local foods by creating government policies like import substitution, reducing food prices, and creating a favorable business environment for farmers. 

"With the attainment of our state objective of Vision 2017, hunger, mal-nutrition and poverty will be reduced in the state sooner than expected" Deng said "My government is firmly committed to provide the conducive environment to the farming community"