{"id":44445,"date":"2026-05-06T17:29:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T15:29:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/?p=44445"},"modified":"2026-05-06T17:29:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T15:29:24","slug":"peace-is-paramount-to-transform-south-sudans-agricultural-sector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/06\/peace-is-paramount-to-transform-south-sudans-agricultural-sector\/","title":{"rendered":"Peace is paramount to transform South Sudan’s agricultural sector"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Kiden Stela Mandela<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

As the country officially opens its four-day agricultural conference, one message must stand above all: Peace is the foundation upon which any meaningful agricultural transformation can be built.<\/strong> Without peace, even the most ambitious plans, policies, and investments in agriculture will struggle to take root.<\/p>\n

Agriculture remains the backbone of livelihoods for the majority of South Sudan\u2019s population. From smallholder farmers to pastoralists, millions depend on the land for food and income. Yet, persistent insecurity, communal conflicts, and displacement continue to disrupt farming activities. Fields are abandoned, planting seasons are missed, and markets become inaccessible. In such conditions, hunger and poverty inevitably deepen.<\/p>\n

This conference comes at a critical time. It presents an opportunity for policymakers, stakeholders, and development partners to rethink strategies that can unlock the country\u2019s vast agricultural potential. South Sudan is endowed with fertile soils, abundant water resources, and favorable climatic conditions. However, these natural advantages can only be fully utilised in an environment where farmers feel safe to cultivate their land and invest in their future.<\/p>\n

Peace is not just the absence of war; it is the presence of stability, trust, and cooperation among communities. When there is peace, farmers can move freely, trade can flourish, and investors gain confidence to support agricultural ventures. Extension services can reach rural areas, and infrastructure such as roads and storage facilities can be developed without disruption.<\/p>\n

The government must, therefore, prioritise peacebuilding as a central pillar of agricultural reform. Strengthening local conflict resolution mechanisms, promoting dialogue among communities, and addressing the root causes of disputes, especially over land and resources, are essential steps. Equally important is ensuring that security forces protect, rather than intimidate, rural populations.<\/p>\n

At the same time, citizens have a vital role to play. Communities must embrace coexistence and reject violence. Farmers and herders, often at odds, must seek sustainable ways to share resources. Unity at the grassroots level will significantly contribute to national stability.<\/p>\n

This agricultural conference should not only produce technical recommendations but also reaffirm a collective commitment to peace. Development cannot thrive in a divided nation. If South Sudan is to achieve food security, reduce dependency on imports, and build a resilient economy, peace must be cultivated alongside crops.<\/p>\n

In the end, transforming agriculture is not just about seeds, tools, or policies; it is about people living and working together in harmony. Peace is the most important ingredient for growth. Without it, the soil remains fertile, but the future remains uncertain. With it, the nation can harvest prosperity for generations to come.<\/p>\n

God protect South Sudan.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Be the spectator <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Kiden Stela Mandela As the country officially opens its four-day agricultural conference, one message must stand above all: Peace is the foundation upon which any meaningful agricultural transformation can be built. Without peace, even the most ambitious plans, policies, and investments in agriculture will struggle to take root. Agriculture[Read More…]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[89,90,122],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44445","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-columnists","category-commentary","category-nation-talk"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44445","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44445"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44445\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44446,"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44445\/revisions\/44446"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44445"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44445"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44445"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}