President Salva Kiir shakes hands with CEPO leader Edmund Yakani after a meeting in Juba. (-)

Civil Society Activist Edmund Yakani is encouraging President Salva Kiir to direct the cabinet to adopt his promise to prioritize agriculture in 2025 as a working policy and convene a National Agricultural Conference ahead of the farming season.

Yakani was reacting to the President’s annual address on Wednesday when he said his government will embark on agriculture to enhance food security in 2025.

The Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, said the proposed conference should focus on identifying farmers’ needs and solutions to ensure successful food production.

Yakani stresses that it is important to involve farmers directly in the discussions to address challenges and define the necessary requirements.

“Your Excellency the President, this is a great declaration if we can walk the talk. We have seen similar declarations like this from you, but unfortunately, you are subordinates failed to walk the talk,” he said in a statement extended to Eye Radio.

“We hope that you can sanction this declaration in the Council of Ministers meeting to be adapted as a working policy so that this will be translated into an action.”

“Your Excellency, we are appealing with due respect and honor for you to commission a national agricultural conference at least before the agricultural season could start.”

“These should be taken serious by honorable Minister of Agriculture at national and state level. And we should bring the actual farmers to define what they see as a requirement for making agricultural succeed in year 2025. It is essential.”

South Sudan’s economy depends almost entirely on revenue from oil export through neighboring Sudan.

In a three-page address posted at midnight into the new year, President Kiir assured the country of his government’s commitment to address the looming hunger.

He directed the Ministry of Agriculture to redouble its efforts and support the farmers across the country to boost and improve productivity.

He also mandated the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to rehabilitate and construct roads leading to Western Equatoria to allow farmers access the market.