JUBA — South Sudan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) on Monday dismissed a fraudulent online announcement advertising an “Agricultural SMEs Grant Initiative Application Form 2026.”
The ministry cautioned citizens not to fall victim to the scam, which falsely claimed applications would close on August 3, 2026.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the announcement, titled “Agricultural SMEs Grant Initiative Application Form 2026,” falsely promised access to agricultural grants and listed August 3, 2026, as the application deadline.
In a press statement issued on Monday, Anthony Majak Achuoth, Undersecretary for Cooperatives and Rural Development at MAFS, urged citizens, farmers, cooperatives, and agricultural entrepreneurs to verify information from official channels before responding to online grant opportunities.
“The Ministry urges the public to ignore this fake announcement and continue to verify any information related to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security through official channels,” Achuoth said.
He encouraged the public to remain vigilant against unverified online advertisements, especially those requesting personal details, registration fees, or financial information.
Achuoth also called on citizens to rely solely on the ministry’s official communication platforms and to report any suspicious announcements claiming to represent the institution.
He stated that the ministry became aware of the misleading announcement and swiftly moved to distance itself from the alleged grant initiative.
Achuoth emphasized that MAFS has neither launched nor authorized any agricultural SME grant application and urged the public not to share personal information, respond to, or complete the circulating application form.
He clarified that all legitimate grant opportunities, agricultural programs, and public announcements would only be communicated through its official website, verified social media platforms, and official notice board.
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security describes the circulating grant application as a fraudulent scheme intended to exploit the public and damage the ministry’s reputation.”
