Gov’t receives comprehensive agricultural guides from EU

The European Union (EU) has handed over comprehensive agricultural extension guides to the government for the development of smallholder farmers’ skills in the country.

The two manuals, based on crop and livestock production, were received by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Josephine Lagu, and her livestock and fisheries counterpart, Adigo Onyoti, on Thursday.

This is a part of the EU’s technical assistance extended to South Sudan to enhance the food security, resilience, and productivity of smallholder farmers in the country.

The guide contained technical and functional information to help farmers with animal health and nutrition, breeding extension, husbandry, and marketing for all species development.

It will also help farmers with the selection of the best seeds, the best planting method and season, weeding, disease and pest control, harvesting, and storage of products. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Onyoti commended the European Union member countries for providing support during the review process.

He pledged the government’s commitment to implement the guide to improve the country’s food security.

“I sincerely thank the EU delegation to the Republic of South Sudan for the technical and financial support invested in the review and of the extension guide. My ministry is committed to exerting its utmost effort to implement this important livestock extension guide, ” Onyoti said.

 “This gives me confidence that the livestock extension guide will be helpful not only for the public sector extension agents but also for the various actors delivering extension and adversity services to farmers and fishers.”

The European Union Ambassador to South Sudan, Christian Bader, emphasised the importance of agriculture in enhancing the country’s food security as well as providing a source of livelihood for the citizens.

Bader added that South Sudan has been seen as an oil-producing country that contributes to the country’s national economy by more than 97 per cent despite having no tangible positive impact on the livelihood of the population.

“The EU recognizes the potential of the agricultural sector in the country, and we can support South Sudan in the process of diversifying their economy through resilience, livelihoods, and strengthening food security,” Bader said.

 “My firm belief is that oil is not the future of this country; the future of this country is the people. Of course, the land is plenty… Crop production and livestock production will be the future of this country if you can improve production and productivity and if you can have proper infrastructure, ” he added.