Josephine Lagu Yanga, the Minister of Agriculture - Courtesy

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security is calling on the government to address insecurity in the country to boost food production.

Josephine Joseph Lagu if the safety of farmers is not guaranteed it is unrealistic to encourage or pressurize them to go for faring.

He said the country should first be secured for the agriculture sector to prosper.

Her remarks come after some farmers often complain of a lack of insecurity in some parts of the country for them to go about their agricultural activities.

Josephine said with lasting peace, the country can produce enough food, rather than relying on the neighbouring country.

“Although there is relative peace in Juba and around Juba this is not necessarily the case in some of our states. Farmers must feel safe when they go to cultivate. If they don’t feel safe, then their safety is not guaranteed,” Josephine said during the first national economic conference in Juba.

“It is not realistic to pressure farmers to go and cultivate when they could easily lose their lives. So, for agriculture really to prosper in this country, we need to make sure that we secure the country.”

The first national economic conference is being held in Juba under the theme: “Towards a diversified, inclusive and sustainable economic growth.”