DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, 3 July 2026 – South Sudan’s National Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Clement Juma Mbugoniwia (MP), signed and adopted the Final Report of the 19th Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security with his East African Community (EAC) counterparts, concluding five days of high-level deliberations on regional agricultural transformation and food security.
The meeting brought together ministers, permanent secretaries, technical experts, and senior government officials to review progress and agree on policy measures to transform agriculture from predominantly subsistence farming to commercially oriented, mechanized, and climate-resilient production systems across the region.
Key discussions focused on promoting mechanized agriculture, strengthening seed production and processing systems, expanding value addition across agricultural value chains, increasing productivity, and advancing sustainable farming practices. The Council also emphasized the importance of enhancing cross-border trade in agricultural commodities as a critical driver of food security, economic growth and regional integration within the EAC.
Hon. Mbugoniwia was accompanied by the Undersecretary for Agriculture Production and Food Security, Hon. Dr Michael Roberto Kenyi, together with senior officials from the relevant directorates of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), who participated in the technical sessions and helped shape the Council’s resolutions.
The meeting was attended by all EAC Partner States, with one delegation participating virtually.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Hon. Clement Juma Mbugoniwia (MP) welcomed the Council’s resolutions, citing that they align closely with South Sudan’s agricultural transformation agenda. He said the agreed regional priorities would complement the Government’s ongoing efforts to modernize agriculture, strengthen food systems, improve farmers’ productivity, and build resilient agricultural value chains that enhance national food security.
The 19th Sectoral Council reaffirmed the commitment of EAC Partner States to work collectively towards resilient, competitive and sustainable agricultural systems that improve livelihoods and ensure food and nutrition security across the region.
