Gov’t to allocate 10% of national budget to agriculture sector

JUBA – The government of South Sudan said it will allocate 10 percent of the national budget to the agriculture sector in the upcoming fiscal year.

While speaking at the opening of a three-day national conference on agriculture and food security under the theme, “Let’s Produce what We Eat” held in Juba Monday, Dr. James Wani Igga, South Sudan’ Vice President for Economic Cluster, said allocating 10 percent of the national budget to the agriculture sector is crucial in the economic development of  South Sudan.

‘The Ministerial Economic Cluster will increase our national budget of the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Security in the upcoming financial year,” Wani said.

Igga added that “Eventually this will clamp up at least to tune of 10 percent of the national budget of South Sudan”.

The Agricultural sector of South Sudan has severely been neglected for several years despite the huge agricultural potential in the country.

The government only allocates 1% of the national budget to the Ministry of Agriculture in the last four financial years.

He explained allocating 10 percent to the Ministry of Agriculture will boost the production of agriculture in the country.

“It will increase production of agriculture which has often been neglected especially in rural areas,” the Vice President said.

He stressed the importance of supporting the productivity of smallholder farmers as the country is working to improve it economy and social challenges.

“We must promote agriculture because it will also employ our neglected gender especially the women,” he said.