Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 3-day Juba Economic Forum, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Hussein Abdelbagi Akol stressed that agriculture must be treated as the backbone of South Sudan’s economic transformation.
“We call on our private sector to redirect their capital and energy toward future productive agricultural ventures,” Abdelbagi said. “In farming, agriculture offers value chains in irrigation, mechanization, storage, and export logistics. Let us draw inspiration from other nations.”
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a conducive environment for agricultural investment, including food policy development, improved infrastructure, access to land, and public-private partnerships.
He also appealed to citizens to embrace farming as a way to reduce the country’s dependence on food imports.
“We must become self-reliant in food production. Our appeal to international partners and financial institutions is to finance agriculture not merely through humanitarian micro-projects but through long-term, catalytic investments that build a resilient food supply system,” he said.
The call comes at a critical time as South Sudan continues to import the majority of its food, despite having vast arable land and water resources suitable for farming.
Paulino Lokudu Obede, Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria State, echoed the Minister’s sentiments, saying the country must reverse its over-dependence on imported food products.
“It is unfortunate that the reality is otherwise. We import food items like maize, rice, beans, and even pumpkins and mint from neighboring countries and beyond,” Lokudu said. “It is time to transform South Sudan into a diversified, inclusive, and resilient economy.”
The forum brings together policymakers, development partners, civil society, and private sector players under one roof to explore practical solutions to South Sudan’s economic challenges, with agriculture emerging as a top priority for national recovery and growth.
As food insecurity continues to affect millions, stakeholders agree that the private sector must be empowered—and incentivized—to invest in scalable and sustainable agricultural ventures across the country.
