May 10, 2011 – JUBA, South Sudan, and MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala., United States – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Kingdom of the Netherlands, IFDC and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) signed a communiqué (shown below press release) to formalize their joint commitment to promote food security and the development of the agricultural private sector in the soon-to-be new nation of South Sudan. The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of South Sudan signed as a witness on behalf of her government.
The signing ceremony took place May 6 on a commercial vegetable farm outside of Juba, the capital of the new nation. The Government of South Sudan (GoSS) acknowledges that enhanced food security and the development of the country’s agricultural potential are among its top priorities. The parties to the communiqué recognize that South Sudan seeks to create a modern private sector to enable economic development. Through the communiqué, they declare a common goal to work together to develop a commercial agriculture sector by increasing agricultural productivity, supporting agribusinesses and improving agricultural research and technology through the:
- Expanded use of quality seed of superior varieties and integrated soil fertility management.
- Development and expansion of an agro-dealer network.
- Revitalization of local agricultural training and research centers.
- Development of policies and regulations that support business development, sound regulatory practices and innovation.
- Development of institutions that promote and support market infrastructure and information systems.
- Increasing farmers’ and entrepreneurs’ access to finance.
The parties signing the communiqué agree to mutually support and collaborate on progress toward these objectives, thus helping to meet the needs of the people of South Sudan.
“On behalf of IFDC, I salute South Sudan’s decision to implement methods to increase farmers’ crop yields and financial well-being through agricultural intensification efforts,” stated Dr. Amit H. Roy, IFDC president and CEO. “IFDC stands ready to help build the capabilities of South Sudan’s farmers and agro-dealers.”
The South Sudanese Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has embarked on an ambitious program to spur agricultural production to meet food security goals as well as to catalyze business development and economic growth. “It is clear that the policies of the government are in line with the Abuja Declaration on Fertilizer for an African Green Revolution, written at the Africa Fertilizer Summit in Nigeria in 2006,” Roy continued. The Abuja Declaration calls for African Union member states to increase their level of fertilizer use to 50 kilograms per hectare. Fertilizer use in South Sudan is virtually non-existent.
IFDC is a public international organization, governed by an international board of directors with representation from developed and developing countries. The nonprofit Center is supported by various bilateral and multilateral aid agencies, private foundations and national governments.
IFDC focuses on increasing and sustaining food security and agricultural productivity in developing countries through the development and transfer of effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technology and agribusiness expertise.
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IFDC Contacts:
Courtney Greene
cgreene@ifdc.org
+1 256-381-6600 ext. 357
