USAID, the United States Agency for International Development, together with the EU, the European Union, and two UN agencies pledged to support agricultural activities in South Sudan.
National Agriculture minister Betty Achan Ogwaro told the press on Tuesday in Juba that USAID will support maize production in the green belt of Greater Equatoria.She said other development partners including the World Bank and EU pledged money to open roads so farmers produce more food and sell it.
Dr Achan said the ministry encouraged commercial banks to help farmers with loans and two banks agreed.
She added that USAID is discussing with the two banks the terms for the loans.
Dr Achan said WFP, the World Food Programme, and FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization and the EU have come up to support an extensive programme to introduce ox-ploughing.
She explained that the UN agencies support the Aweil area of Northern Bahr El Ghazal while the EU helps Warrap.
The agriculture minister said for the first two years farmers will continue using hoes for cultivation.
Tractors will be used in areas that do not need clearance.
Dr Achan revealed that her ministry will open the Cooperative Bank of South Sudan in mid March and the building is already undergoing renovation.
She said five branches should be opened in highly productive agricultural areas.