South Sudan, October 2025
Launching of the 1st National Rice Development Strategy (2024-2034) in Juba, South Sudan
An official launching of the First National Rice Development Strategy (1st NRDS 2024-2034) conducted on Friday 3rd October 2025, through Hon. Lily Albino Akol Akol, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) on behalf of Hon. Hussen Abdelbagi, the Minister of MAFS in Juba the Capital City of South Sudan.
The occasion was organized by the National Rice Task Force (NRTF), Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MoWRI) through the support from JICA and FAO. The event attended by more than 60 participants present in the hall and three participants online include; Government officials, parliamentarian, Development Partners (DPs), farmers representatives, grain miller and Agro – companies’ managers, while online participants were; Mr. Maruo Shin, Chief Representative of JICA-South Sudan (SSD), Ms. Okamura Mika, Agricultural program specialist for JICA-SSD and Rev. Jimmy Kato, the member of the NRTF representing the Private sector in Juba respectively. The function started during morning hours from EAT 9:30 to 12:45 in the afternoon.
EVENT PROCEEDING, REMARKS AND SPEECHES:
After the short presentation on the key highlights about the NRDS 2024-2034 Booklet and Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD)’s overview presented by Mr. Angelo Joseph Lemor, Secretary of the Task Force, followed by the remarks from Mr. Alfred Wani Lukudu, chairperson of the National Rice Task Force (NRTF) and the Focal Person (FP) for the NRDS, while in his remark appreciated and acknowledged the strong support from Government leadership, CARD Secretariat, JICA-SSD, FAO, WFP and IFAD, academia, sub- national institutions, private sector and rice local farming communities to the NRTF since the onset of developing the 1st NRDS to the launching. The short remarks were delivered by the present DPs (WFP, IFAD & FAO) in the event, where they all assured their commitments to support the implementation of the NRDS 2024-2034. From the online participants, Mr. Maruo gave his remarks, he appreciated the Government and the Task Force in particular and also assured the support of JICA for improving the rice sector in the country both human and physical capacities, he also gave warmest congratulation to the Republic of South Sudan officially joining the CARD at the 10th CARD General Meeting planned in Year 2026.
Thereafter, Hon. Dr. John Ogoto Kanisio, Undersecretary for Agriculture and Food Security in the MAFS took over the protocol and invited the member of parliament Hon. Ghada James Kilang, the chairperson of specialize committee on Agriculture and Food Security in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), in her remarks Hon. Ghada mentioned the parliament will make sure that the MAFS allocated enough budget for executing the NRDS in order for the SSD meet the regional standard like CAADP and Kampala declaration adding that, her office will be expecting positive impact from results of implementing the strategy and finally Hon. Ghada urged the line Ministries and the DPs to work collaboratively and to promote transparency and accountability.
On the official launching speech by the Deputy Minister of the MAFS, Hon. Lily Albino stated that the 1st NRDS 2024-2034 is a historic milestone for the nation of SSD as the country will join the CARD. Hon. Lily Albino added that, the strategy is in line with the government vision 2040 and with the Comprehensive Agriculture Development Master Plan and Irrigation Development Plan on effort to transforming Agriculture sector from subsistence to the commercialize Agriculture in South Sudan. The Deputy Minister assured that, the NRDS will be placed in the budget of Fiscal Year July 2026/2027 and beyond for better achievement of the 1st NRDS targets and also urged DPs and investors to involve on implementation of the NRDS in the SSD.
The above article and photos provided by NRTF (National Rice Taskforce team), Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, South Sudan
First National Rice Development Strategy (2024-2034), February 2025 [PDF]
Group photo during launching of the NRDS 2024-2034
Hon. Lily Albino Akol Akol, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS)
Hon. Dr. John Ogoto Kanisio, Undersecretary for Agriculture & Food Security
Hon. Dr. Ghada James, chairperson, specialize committee on Agriculture & Food Security
