Authorities in Upper Nile state have cancelled all farming contracts of Sudanese and South Sudanese working in Renk County plantations.

The commissioner of Renk County, Guot Akuei, told Eye Radio that the Government will only issue new contracts to Southern Sudanese.

“Yes all the contracts of Sudanese farmers working in Renk have been cancelled. It was done since October, 2012, last year; their contracts have been cancelled and awarded to South Sudanese farmers,’’ said Mr. Akuei.

Mister Akuei said the new contracts will empower South Sudanese farmers and boost food security in the country:

“There will be conditions in these new contracts according to law. There will be specific years for the land and how you are going to be planting and maintaining the land….because it is going to be useful to the Republic of South Sudan and for the citizens of South Sudan.’’

Mr. Akuei added that 60% of the land will be contracted to the local community and 40% to the government.

The land in Renk plantations was owned by Sudanese before the independence of South Sudan.