Sowing seeds of change: how governance and investment can transform South Sudan’s agrifood sector
By strengthening governance frameworks and creating a more predictable investment environment, South Sudan can tap into its vast agricultural resources and drive long-term economic sustainability
FAO supports South Sudan by promoting seed accessibility, availability, affordability and quality. In the photo is Livia Constantino, a cereal producer in Yambio, Equatoria, South Sudan. © FAO/Arete/Patrick Meinhardt
14.04.2025
Despite its protracted crisis, South Sudan’s agricultural sector is bursting with potential—and strengthened governance could be the key to unlocking it. A recent assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reveals that clearer policies, stronger regulations and better collaboration with the private sector could transform the country’s agrifood systems. With vast fertile land and most people relying on farming, herding, or fishing, there is a huge opportunity to grow the economy and improve lives amid the country’s fragile context. By creating a fair and welcoming environment for investors, the assessment indicates, South Sudan can turn its natural resources into engines of prosperity and food security.
At the heart of this transformation is South Sudan’s ambitious investment plan, developed by the Government with support from FAO’s flagship Hand-in-Hand (HiH) Initiative. Targeting key agricultural value chains—sorghum, rice, fisheries, and livestock, the plan aims not only to meet domestic food needs but also to tap into the country’s export potential, driving sustainable economic development and agricultural diversification.
“The Hand-in-Hand Initiative is a powerful and innovative mechanism that is country-driven for mobilizing scaled up financial and technical support to increase production, improve food security, and support the government’s strategy, reflecting the specific priorities and addressing key challenges in agricultural transformation for growth and economic diversification,” acknowledges Josephine Lagu, South Sudan’s Vice President and former Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.
In line with this vision, the African Development Bank and the World Bank have pledged over USD 200 million to support South Sudan’s agricultural development. To ensure these investments yield sustainable outcomes, FAO is helping strengthen policy frameworks and institutional capacities. This involves identifying opportunities to improve governance, enhance investment strategies, and foster an environment conducive to private sector engagement.
“South Sudan’s agrifood system transformation is not just about increasing production—it’s about building resilience and fostering sustainable development,” stresses Meshack Malo, FAO Representative in South Sudan, who steered the field assessment conducted between January and March 2025. “Through strategic policy interventions and increased engagement with the private sector, FAO and its partners are committed to help the country chart a new course for its agricultural future. As these initiatives take root, they hold the promise of a more secure, prosperous, and food-sufficient South Sudan.”
Building bridges with the private sector investors
Central to the initiative’s success is the active participation of private enterprises—particularly micro-, small-, and medium-sized businesses. Through the country’s National Private Sector’s Development Strategy (PSDS), FAO is facilitating dialogue between the Government, the South Sudan Business Forum, and private actors. This collaborative approach aims to remove barriers to investment, create a predictable regulatory environment, and unlock new market opportunities.
FAO’s technical assistance goes beyond policy reforms. It supports the coordination of resource mobilization efforts, working closely with government counterparts, international donors, and producer organizations. By fostering these partnerships, FAO is contributing to laying the foundation for long-term, sustainable development in the world’s youngest nation’s agrifood sector.
A landscape of untapped opportunity
South Sudan’s agricultural potential is undeniable. Despite only 4 percent of its arable land being cultivated, the nation produced 1 million metric tons of cereals in 2023. Its vast water bodies offer abundant fish stocks, and livestock ownership is among the highest on the continent. Agriculture remains the backbone of the economy, employing 95 percent of the population across farming, herding, and fishing. With targeted investment and strategic reforms, these assets can be harnessed to propel the nation towards food security and economic resilience.
However, the path to agrifood prosperity is not without challenges. Conflict remains a major disruptor, particularly during harvest seasons when farmers are forced to abandon their crops. Disputes arising from seasonal cattle movements further discourage planting, exacerbating food insecurity. FAO underscores that fostering regular policy dialogues and multistakeholder discussions can mitigate these conflicts and pave the way for sustainable solutions.
“Strong governance is key to transforming South Sudan’s agrifood sector by addressing divergences and building a regulatory, institutional, and incentive environment that attracts and fosters investment," emphasizes Ricardo Rapallo, Senior Governance and Policy Officer at FAO. "When guided by a clear vision and collaboration, effective governance can turn challenges into opportunities, creating an environment where innovation thrives and agrifood systems evolve to respond to diverse interests and the needs of the population”
Whether at the highest political instances at the national level or in a small town where farmers and pastoralists intersect, the power of governance in managing disputes can pave the way for more trust and mutual respect. Late last year, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan brought together some 90 people – including women, elders and youth – to address tensions between farmers and cattle keepers who often compete for scarce food and water resources around Rokon area, in Central Equatoria state. Thanks to the spirit of cooperation, a proposal involving cattle keepers to pay compensation for damage their animals cause was well received, and a series of new, clear and mutually agreed-on community rules was adopted.