The government of Malawi has donated 30,000 bags of maize to South Sudan to bridge the food gap in the country from increasing prices and extreme weather conditions.
Government spokesperson Barnaba Marial Benjamin told SCR News that South Sudan will only foot the transportation costs from Malawi.He said the donation will contribute to fill the food gap in South Sudan through a gesture of pan-African solidarity.
A report issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to the National Assembly this month indicates that South Sudan will only produce only half of the 1.5 million metric tonnes of food needed in 2012.
Agriculture minister Betty Achan Ogwaro blamed the food gap on late and heavy rains and hiking prices.
She said Jonglei, Warrap and Upper Nile were already facing food shortages.
Dr. Marial added that East African countries are also facing food shortages.
He said the government wants South Sudanese farmers to increase food production.
Dr. Marial admitted that the food crisis is likely to continue if Khartoum keeps its borders with South Sudan closed.
He said he hopes that food prices will gradually decrease since the government has closed down many illegal taxation points that were operating in South Sudan.