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The National Minister of Agriculture has called on farmers in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State to take charge of rice production, saying the Aweil rice ccheme remains central to the government’s food security agenda.

Speaking during the official launch of the Aweil Rice Scheme, Clement Juma Mbugoniwia said the project is a national priority under the government and urged farmers to increase production in order to reduce rice imports.

“Aweil rice ccheme is one of the schemes under the national government. Aweil Rice Scheme is in the heart of the national government. It is in the heart of the President. It is in the heart of the national ministry,” he said.

He said his visit to Aweil was intentional, describing it as his first official trip outside Juba since assuming office.

“That is why on my first trip outside Juba, we chose to come to Aweil Rice Scheme. So Aweil Rice, you are in the heart of the national government. You also have a national responsibility for food security,” he said.

Mbugoniwia appealed to farmers to increase rice production to strengthen national food security and reduce dependence on imports.

“I am appealing to all farmers within the Aweil Rice Scheme to take charge of rice production so that we can cut down on the import of rice from foreign countries,” he said.

He also commended farmers for their efforts in sustaining agricultural production in the scheme.

“I want to acknowledge the hard work of the farmers who are tilling this land. Because without that hard work, we would not even be talking about Aweil Rice Scheme. So we acknowledge your hard work. We acknowledge your efforts,” he said.

The minister said the government remains committed to supporting farmers to achieve national food security goals.

“We are willing and ready to stand by you so that you can achieve the ultimate goal of food security, especially in the rice sector,” he said.

He further conveyed a directive attributed to President Salva Kiir Mayardit, calling on citizens to actively engage in farming.

“We have also come to confirm and inform the governor here that the President of the Republic of South Sudan, General Salva Kiir Mayardit, has directed that this year all citizens must go to the farm,” he said.

“Those who are specializing in rice, you do rice. Those who want to do peanuts, you do peanuts. All what we need is everyone should go to the farm this year because the country needs food,” he added.

He urged farmers to increase production not only for household consumption but also for market supply.

“We know that you are already going to the farm, but this means you must put extra effort to produce more so that you have something for the family and something for the market,” he said.

The FAO Country Representative, Mr. Felix Dzyurumi, said the Aweil Rice Scheme has grown into a nationally and internationally recognized agricultural project contributing to food security.

“The farmers who are here, you are representing South Sudan. You are beyond Northern Bahr el Ghazal. Within FAO, this scheme is known beyond South Sudan,” he said. He added that the project has gained international recognition through FAO’s global network.

“As we talk, there are food security issues within the country. As you all know, we have about 56% of our population facing food insecurity,” he said.

Dzyurumi noted that Northern Bahr el Ghazal has made strong agricultural progress, producing up to 78% of its cereal requirements last year.

He said stakeholders are working with national and international partners, including the World Bank and African Development Bank, to improve irrigation systems and enable multiple cropping seasons.

He added that the redesign of the scheme aims to increase productivity and ensure year-round farming.

The FAO representative also thanked the Ministry of Agriculture for its continued partnership in supporting the project.