Eastern Equatoria Governor urged citizens to grow more food in order to fight hunger and poverty in the state.
Louis Lobong Lojore made the call on Thursday in a speech read by Deputy Governor Jerome Surur Gama during the opening ceremony of the first Agricultural Show in the state after independence, Radio Emmanuel reported.The Agricultural Show commemorated World Food Day.
Governor Lobong wrote in his speech that the exhibition represented the solidarity of the people of Eastern Equatoria with the international community in the fight against hunger and poverty.
He requested the ministry of Agriculture to introduce different varieties of crops in collaboration with other partners.
The Governor committed to fight hunger and poverty, improve security, bring peace and protect property as well as human lives.
Torit county Commissioner William Oyet Omoro applauded the farmers for supplying the state with food.
He said it was a privilege for Torit County to host the first Agricultural Show of Eastern Equatoria.
Many speakers at the event attributed the increase in food production in Eastern Equatoria to a decree issued by Governor Lobong in April making cultivation compulsory for every citizen on Fridays and Saturdays.
State ministers, members of state assembly spearheaded by the speaker, and religious leaders including the Catholic Bishop Johnson Akio Mutek of Torit were involved in farming activities.