Seventeen students graduate from agriculture program in Bor

BOR – Seventeen students graduated on Monday from the Hanbit Vocational School’s agriculture program in Jonglei State’s capital Bor. The school, supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), celebrated its first graduating class from the three-month program.

Geetha Pious, head of the UNMISS field office in Jonglei State and GPAA, emphasized the program’s role in developing future agricultural leaders.

“This journey reflects the school’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders, ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” Pious said.

She stressed the importance of agricultural investment for food security in South Sudan, particularly given recent aid reductions.

“South Sudan needs to invest in agriculture to address the hunger issue, especially with the United States cutting aid support. In the coming days, South Sudan needs to produce its own food,” she added.

Pious urged the graduates to share their newly acquired skills within their communities.

“Together we can create and reflect positive change that will help the community. From here, you should be a change maker in our community,” she said.

Atong Kuol Manyang, deputy governor of Jonglei State, affirmed the government’s commitment to agricultural investment.

“The government of South Sudan’s farming policy is to increase production and improve food security. It aims at making agriculture a key industry that contributes to the country’s economic growth and social wellbeing,” Manyang stated.

He appealed to the graduates to contribute to increased production in Jonglei State.

“Since we all know that our country is hit by hardship, do your very best and utilize the skills imparted in you to ensure that together we fight food insecurity, create jobs for ourselves and others, as well as for the economic growth of our state and country in general,” he said.

Makoc Ngong Akol, representing the graduating class, expressed gratitude to the Republic of Korea (ROK HMEC) for their support.

“We are very happy with the Republic of Korea for giving us these skills. It will help us in producing food for our communities in Jonglei State and South Sudan at large,” Akol said.

He encouraged his fellow graduates to apply the skills they gained during the program.