New measures to combat food shortages unveiled

shortages in the newly-independent nation and neighbouring countries.

Commerce Minister Garang Diing Akuong said plans for a sugar project, brewery and fruit cannery were part of the government’s strategy to promote agriculture, revive industry and diversify the resource-rich nation’s economy from a 98 percent dependence on oil.

But the immediate worry is to tackle food shortages and skyrocketing prices due to “low production, the closure of borders with Sudan and the high cost of production,” Akuong said.
“In South Sudan we have never produced enough food for ourselves,” Akuong said of the import-dependent nation that is now landlocked since it seceded from Sudan in July.

The country’s food problems have been compounded by rising fuel prices and natural disasters such as the drought in neighbouring east African countries, Akuong said.
The government hopes this will help reduce prices and the food deficit after the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation’s prediction last month that South Sudan will produce half the 1.5 million tonnes of cereals it needs for 2012.

South Sudan usually imports most of its supplementary food from the north, but “Sudan since May has blocked the borders,” Akuong said, after its government occupied the contested area of Abyei.
The government has also not decided when South Sudan will join the East African Community trade bloc.

Akuong said opinion was split on whether to take the risk of opening up the fledgling nation’s import-based economy to neighbouring countries that could flood the market and weaken its strong currency. – AFP.