By Matik Kueth
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), on Tuesday officially launched the South Sudan Agriculture Conference 2026 in Juba, aiming to transform the country’s agricultural sector.
The conference, scheduled for May 4th to 8th, 2026, will be held under the theme “Investing in Agri-food Systems for a Better Life in South Sudan.”
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Lily Albino Akol, described the initiative as a turning point for the sector.
“Today’s launch is therefore not merely ceremonial. It’s a call to action. It’s an invitation to all stakeholders, including investors, development partners, and the private sector, to actively engage, collaborate, and take advantage of the vast opportunities within South Sudan’s agricultural sector. During the conference,” Akol said.
She added, “We expect to engage in robust policy dialogue, technical deliberations, and investment forums that will deliver concrete and actionable outcomes.”
Atong Kuol Manyang, Minister of Trade and Industry, called on citizens to take up agriculture seriously and reduce dependence on aid and imports.
“I feel that this is the time for us to sit down and really think about privatizing agriculture. Not only by saying it, but putting it into action and making sure that all of us come on board and ensure that we farm. Because this is the only way South Sudan will come out of poverty. This is the only way we can start standing on our feet,” she stated.
FAO’s Technical Advisor, Nicholas Kerandi, stressed the broader impact of the initiative on livelihoods and the economy.
“As we reflect on this important event, it goes beyond food security. It is about inclusive and sustainable transformation of the agri-food system to create jobs and uplift the standard of living for all,” he stressed.
“The forum will bring together government policy makers, technical officers, investors, farmers, livestock keepers, fisher folk, and a lot of other partners to accelerate investment across different stages and sectors of the agri-food system,” he noted.
The conference is expected to deliver key outcomes, including a national communiqué, investment frameworks, and actionable strategies to guide the transformation of South Sudan’s agricultural sector.
South Sudan has vast agricultural potential, with more than 80 percent of its land suitable for farming, abundant water resources, and diverse ecological zones.
However, challenges such as climate change, poor infrastructure, and low productivity continue to hinder progress.