South Sudan’s Economic Crisis Triggers Food Insecurity, Reliance on Expired Imports
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Petrodollars in South Sudan - Steven Wondu
By Emmanuel Malual Makuach, Nairobi, Kenya
Wednesday, 25 October 2023 (PW) — In the face of a deepening economic crisis, South Sudan grapples with a harrowing food shortage that has forced the nation to turn to neighboring Uganda for sustenance. The collapse of agriculture within the country has sounded alarm bells, leaving its populace dependent on imported food items, some expired and unfit for consumption.
Once a promising breadbasket, South Sudan now mourns the death of its agricultural sector. Years of political instability, ethnic conflicts, and inadequate investment in farming infrastructure have spiralled the nation into an unprecedented crisis. Fields once vibrant with bountiful crops lay barren, a stark reflection of the despair plaguing this young nation.
Farmers, who were once the backbone of the economy, are now facing immense challenges. Land disputes, lack of access to quality seeds, fertilisers, and modern farming techniques have stymied their efforts to cultivate the land effectively. Furthermore, prolonged droughts and erratic weather patterns have further exacerbated the fragile agricultural landscape, leaving farmers constantly struggling for survival.
In the face of scarcity, South Sudan has relied on imports from Uganda to provide essential food supplies. However, this solution comes with its own set of perils. Reports have surfaced indicating that some of the imported food items, particularly those of questionable quality, have exceeded their expiration dates.
Investigative teams have revealed that unscrupulous traders, taking advantage of South Sudan’s vulnerability, have been unloading expired and substandard food products on the market. The consequences of consuming these expired goods have resulted in a spiralling public health concern, jeopardising the already fragile well-being of the nation’s citizens.
The impact of this crisis is palpable, as families across South Sudan are forced to grapple with hunger and malnutrition. Food prices continue to surge, rendering essential commodities unaffordable for the majority. The government’s response has been marred by inadequate policies and limited resources, leaving its people disillusioned and desperate for a way out of this grim reality.
International aid agencies and humanitarian organisations have been working tirelessly to assist, but the scale of the crisis demands a collective effort. Urgent action is needed to bolster South Sudan’s agricultural sector, invest in modern farming techniques, and address the underlying issues of conflict and political instability that have hampered progress.
Despite the bleak circumstances, a glimmer of hope remains. South Sudan’s resilient population, renowned for its endurance in adversity, continues to demonstrate unwavering determination. This strength can serve as a foundation for a brighter future, where agriculture thrives, livelihoods are secured, and the nation emerges from an economic crisis that has burdened it for far too long.
The maize, which could have been a valuable resource to combat food insecurity and support the population, was deemed unfit for consumption. However, what made this scenario even more troubling was the underlying issue: the country’s inactive systems. Uganda’s agriculture and food production systems were less developed and efficient than other nations in East Africa. They struggled to keep up with their counterparts in the region.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring South Sudan, the situation was slightly different. They boasted a higher number of political extension officers compared to agricultural extension officers. This disparity led to a need for more expertise and focus on the vital field of agriculture. Consequently, South Sudan found itself heavily reliant on importing expired foodstuffs.
The contrast between Uganda and South Sudan served as a lesson in the importance of prioritising agricultural development and having efficient systems in place. Without proper attention and investment, valuable resources could go to waste, and countries could find themselves caught in a cycle of dependence on foreign food sources.
Uganda, South Sudan, and all nations across the globe needed to recognise the significance of a robust agricultural sector in ensuring food security for their citizens. It was not just a matter of policy or strategy; it was a matter of livelihoods and the well-being of countless individuals.
As time passed, countries became increasingly crucial to learn from one another, implement effective agriculture-focused policies, and promote sustainable farming practices. By doing so, they could cultivate a future where food scarcity would be a distant memory and no more valuable resources would go to waste.
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It is a pity that South Sudan entirely depends on food imports when agriculture should have been the backbone of the economy. More than 80 per cent of the land is arable but barely 4 per cent is cultivated. Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the iconic leader who spearheaded a revolutionary struggle to make South Sudan a paradise on earth for each and every one of us, one time said revenue from the oil should be invested in agriculture for self-reliance in food production. What has happened and why is agriculture neglected? When I one time drove to Gumbo across the Nile on the eastern side, the road was so horrible that I wondered whether South Sudanese were really serious about development. In addition, the trucks loaded with various food commodities from Uganda added more to my frustration of living in a country where dependent even on tomatoes from a neighboring country seem to be something to be grateful of. What has happened to the vision of New South Sudan of prosperity for all after the declaration of independence from the colonial Sudan?