The U.S. Government-through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Office of the U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan-and the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS)is hosting a conference in Nairobi, to address challenges and priorities for revitalizing agriculture in southern Sudan.
Conference participants would examine both short- and long-term objectives to significantly increase agricultural production in southern Sudan, UN news center reported. Despite enormous agriculture potential, poor transport, limited storage capacity and processing facilities and a poor investment climate are among the legacies of conflict that hindered development of the agriculture sector.
Most farmers in the region produce for subsistence rather than profit. Meanwhile, consumers suffer from high prices of agricultural products, many of which are imported from neighboring countries. Though USAID and GOSS launched a new five-year Food, Agribusiness, and Rural Markets (FARM) program in May 2010, this conference would encourage and allow key stakeholders to increase investment and partnerships to support agriculture in southern Sudan.
Conference participants, includes the GOSS, the U.S. Government and other international donors, agricultural research organizations, financial institutions, and multinational agribusinesses.