The Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), David Shearer, said on Thursday that improved security is essential to reinvigorating the bread basket of South Sudan.

Shearer made these remarks during his first field visit to the town of Yambio in Gbudue State in Western Equatoria region.

In a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj, Shearer said a wide range of food products for the rest of the country came from the region, but production has slowed because farmers are no longer able to plant crops due to ongoing insecurity and displacement.

“Security is the key to getting farmers back to their land,” Shearer said after meeting Gbudue state officials in Yambio.

The UNMISS chief pointed out that security was also essential on the road network to allow trade and the distribution of agricultural products.

The  statement noted that Shearer praised the state authorities for their commitment to boosting agricultural production and moving towards self-sufficiency.

"UNMISS hopes the imminent swearing-in of the new Governor of Gbudue State will be an opportunity to reset and improve relations between local communities and government forces operating there," said Shearer.

The UNMISS head encouraged reconciliation efforts by the state authorities, especially the efforts to reintegrate young people into the community who had joined armed groups active in the area, according to the statement.

Shearer's remarks come after the South Sudanese government and UN agencies declared famine in parts of the country, especially some 100,000 people believed to be starving in Unity state, and a further one million at risk of starvation while 5.5 million are in dire need of humanitarian aid.

Photo: UNMISS chief David Shearer speaks to journalists at a press conference in Juba on Wednesday, 22 February, 2017 (Radio Tamazuj).