Jonglei minister denies state negligence over food shortages
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September 30, 2011 (KAMPALA) – Jonglei state has not contributed to
the current food shortages the state minister of Agriculture and
forestry, Mayen Ngor Atem, told to the Sudan Tribune from Bor on
Friday.
Atem attributed this year’s low food production to floods that he says
had engulfed the entire state. Jonglei has not neglected agricultural
lands and has rendered assistance to farmers over the last year, the
minister said.
South Sudan’s parliament heard on Wednesday from the federal minister
of Agriculture and Forestry that 1.3 million people, mainly from
Jonglei and Upper Nile states, are at the close to starvation due to
insufficient harvests and hiking prices of food in the new country.
South Sudan became independent in July as part of a 2005 peace deal.
Asked whether Jonglei state neglected suitable areas that could have
helped in increasing food production this year, minister Atem said his
ministry distributed enough tools to peasant farmers.
“No. No. No. There is no neglecting,” minister Mayen said. “All areas
received seeds and tools” he said.
“The issue this year is that the onset of rain was late, there was
moisture deficit and then [late] heavy rains [caused] flooding and the
whole state is now flooded,” he added.
Presenting a report on the food shortages to lawmakers in South Sudan
capital, Juba, Betty Achan Ogwaro, the South Sudan minister of
Agriculture and Forestry said the blockage of north—south Sudan border
has played a role in this year’s food scarcity.
In Jonglei state like Upper Nile has a poor road network that impedes
government responses to tribal clashes is also preventing the supply
of items to most affected areas, Minister Atem. South Sudanese
returnees from north Sudan in the build-up to 9 July independence
returned after the cultivation period had elapsed, he added.
The minister said the government intended to construct roads, install
flood control measures, ensure security in the state and intensifying
campaigns to encourage farming activities in the largely pastoralist
communities of the state.
Deadly cattle raids are common in Jonglei state and government efforts
to curve the practice have not succeeded. The state minister said that
now South Sudan is an independence country it has an obligation to
protect civilians.
Atem said Juba is doing its best to quell insecurity in Jonglei but
declined to provide details.
(ST)
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