South Sudan has lost half of its food production this year due to conflict in parts of the Equatoria region, the Food and Agriculture Organization has said.

The FAO carried out two agricultural campaigns in parts of Yei River and Gbudwe State this year.

Country Director Serge Tissot says the harvests failed since farmers have been fleeing insecurity in the areas.

“For example there is heavy conflict in Yei. We have lost the first campaign because the harvests have not been processed in a good way,” Mr Tissot said.

The poor yields have also affected other areas that were depending on food from the two states.

“So we’ve lost 50% of the production of food in South Sudan this year.”

Mr Tissot made the remarks as South Sudan marks the World Food Day on Thursday.

However, the day is marked globally on the 16 October every year to raise awareness on food security.

This year, the day is being marked under the theme: ‘Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too’.

In a statement, the World Food program says farmers, fishermen, and pastoralists have been hit hardest by bad climatic conditions this year, making nearly half the population in the country food insecure.

WFP also warns the already poor food security situation in the country could likely worsen to critical levels next year.

The bad weather has been attributed to drought and higher temperatures. But, also it says insecurity and the economic crisis is contributing to the hardship.