Lack of enough rain has reduced production of cereal crops in South Sudan by 381,000 metric tonnes this year, two UN food agencies have said.

The World Food program and the Food and Agriculture Organization say the situation has affected nearly half the population of the country.

The crops affected include wheat, rice, maize, and beans among others.

In a statement, the WFP and the FAO say this makes the food crisis this year, 53% worse than in 2015.

They say the shortage of cereals is as a result of lack of rains in the Bahr El Ghazal and the Equatoria regions.

The UN agencies say the prices of ceareals have also increased five times since the beginning of the year. This has further made it difficult for people to get enough food.

The WFP and the FAO called for immediate improvement of security across the country to allow the people to settle.

They also urged full support for the 2016 cropping season across the country by ensuring access to agricultural inputs, intensifying veterinary services to keep animals healthy.