The US Government says South Sudan can benefit from the new alliance for food security and nutrition if it makes a clear policy-reform in the agricultural sector.

The New Alliance Initiative for Food Security was launched by President Barack Obama at the Camp David G-8 last year.

The Washington-based Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, Doctor Rajiv Shah, made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists during a Webcast.

He was addressing journalists from South Sudan, South Africa, Rwanda, Madagascar and Zimbabwe on the outcome of President Obama’s recent trip to Africa.

“The plan at the time was to identify countries that were willing to make really tough and clear policy reform in an agricultural sector, to create the space for private investment to tackle hunger by improving and modernizing agricultural systems in what is still largely growing economies like South Sudan.

“What countries have to do to join the program is commit to specific reforms.

“So, the core requirement here is for countries to make commitments and then execute those commitments to reform their agricultural sectors including reforming access to land so that women can get proper access to land ownership and titles, can secure loans,  and can invest  in their own future.

“We are more than willing to work with countries that are willing to do that”

Administrator Shah said the alliance works through a partnership called “Grow Africa”

President Obama’s recent trip to Africa also focused on USAID’s work and several key initiatives including: a young African leader’s initiative, and creating food security.