South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The Ministry of Finance and Planning has raised the budget for the agriculture sector in the 2024/25 budget to 10 percent.
Dr. Jacob Maiju Korok, Deputy Minister for Information, Communication, Technology and Postal Services said on Friday in Juba, that the budgetary increase for the agriculture sector is aimed to empower farmers, improve food security, and boost economic growth.
This came after the 2024/25 fiscal year budget was tabled before cabinet by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Awow Daniel Chuang.
Korok noted that farmers will be able to access capital to produce food through the Agricultural Bank of South Sudan.
He said the budget also prioritized investment in education and health, and mining sectors in efforts to diversify sources of public financing.
“The sector priorities of this budget, investment in agriculture-related projects, investment in education and health, mining sector developments to diversify sources of public financing, and fast-tracking effective reforms in public procurement and assets, value-added tax and property tax,” said Korok.
He disclosed that government expenditure has been cut following disruption of oil exports due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan since April 2023.
Korok noted that the government will only pay salaries of civil servants in the 2024/25 fiscal budget, adding that capital expenditure has been halted until the economic situation stabilizes.
He disclosed that the finance minister has been directed by cabinet to include other items before it is approved by cabinet.
The agricultural sector has long been neglected despite its vast agricultural potential.
The government’s previous allocation hovered around just 1 percent of the national budget for the past four fiscal years.
The increase in budgetary allocation for the agriculture sector represents a potential turning point.
However, it remains to be seen if this commitment translates into tangible improvements in food production and food security in South Sudan.
