Citizens Urged to Prioritize Self-Reliance in Food Production

By Awan Achiek

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol On Tuesday urged citizens to focus on self-reliance in food production to reduce dependence on imports.

“Let us change our mindset from importing food to producing and exporting it,” Abdelbagi stated at the opening of the three-day Juba Economic Forum in Juba.

He encouraged South Sudanese to embrace hard work and produce food to sustain themselves.

“Let us work together with the current ambition to strengthen our agricultural potential as part of the national agenda for peace, prosperity, and progress. The time for action is now.”

Abdelbagi called for enhancing domestic production in light of a steady decline in food aid from developed countries.

“Our country is at a crossroads. As foreign aid diminishes, even for critical humanitarian assistance, we face shifting global priorities and internal political challenges,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of agriculture as a cornerstone of economic transformation.

“South Sudan possesses vast arable land, rich water bodies, and a capable youth population. If we do not utilize these assets, they will remain untapped potential.”

He urged the private sector to redirect their capital and efforts toward agriculture to boost local productivity.

“In farming, agriculture provides value chain irrigation, mechanization, storage, and export logistics. Let us draw inspiration from our nation.”

For his part, Paulino Lokudu Obede, Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria State, emphasized the need to engage in farming to combat over-dependence on food imports.

“It is unfortunate that the reality is otherwise. We import food items like maize, bread, pumpkin, mint, rice, beans, and various other consumables from neighboring and overseas countries,” Lokudu said.

He stressed the need to transform the country into a diversified, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economy.