By Matik Kueth
The Under-Secretary for the Ministry of Finance and Planning (MoFP), Benjamin Ayali, has reaffirmed the government’s steadfast commitment to agriculture as the cornerstone of its development strategy, emphasizing a solid dedication to economic diversification.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Country Portfolio Performance Review (CPPR) workshop, aimed at improving project implementation and service delivery, Ayali underlined the significance of partnerships in driving progress, notably with the African Development Bank (AFDB).
“The government has identified, together with partners including the African Development Bank, agriculture as a key milestone for the diversification of our economy. And that is still our priority now,” Ayali stated.
He hailed the joint efforts of development partners and UN organizations involved in AFDB-funded projects, stressing their significance in furthering agricultural programs.
“The Africa Development Bank and the partners, particularly the UN agencies that were implementing the AFDB-funded projects, have been with us, and it is our humble submission as government that we continue with that spirit,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of ongoing project reviews, Ayali called for candid discussions on bottlenecks faced on the ground.
“The CPPR that we are undertaking today, as the acting country manager mentioned, it is supposed to be an activity that we must undertake regularly to keep track of the projects that we are implementing as a team. It’s only by coming together that we can be able to address some of the issues that projects experience,” he explained.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to collaborating with partners, noting the project’s importance as a gateway to economic resilience and livelihoods.
“We stand ready to support and to work together with all of you, those who are implementing these projects, so that we can deliver services to our people.” This collaborative spirit underscores South Sudan’s strategic focus on agriculture as a vital pathway to economic resilience and improved livelihoods,” he emphasized.
The government’s broader development plan includes energy, investments in women and youth entrepreneurship, and assistance to refugees and host communities, all with the goal of increasing service delivery to South Sudanese citizens.
Earlier this year, President Salva Kiir pledged to prioritize agriculture to enhance the country’s food security by 2025.
Kiir made this vow during his New Year’s message speech, asking the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to assist farmers across the country in increasing yields.
“In the year 2025, the government will prioritize agriculture to enhance our food security. I am therefore directing that the Ministry of Agriculture double its efforts to support farmers across the country to improve yields,” President Kiir said.
He also directed the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to rehabilitate and construct roads leading to Western Equatoria to enable farmers to access the markets.