DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, 3 July 2026 – South Sudan’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Clement Juma Mbugoniwia, joined his counterparts from the East African Community (EAC) Partner States in signing and adopting the Final Report of the 19th Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security, following five days of high-level deliberations in Dar es Salaam aimed at advancing regional agricultural transformation and food security.
The high-level meeting brought together ministers, Undersecretaries, permanent secretaries, technical experts and senior government officials from across the region to agree on strategic policy actions that will accelerate agricultural modernisation and strengthen food systems within the East African Community.
By endorsing the Final Report, EAC Partner States adopted a new regional roadmap to accelerate the transformation of agriculture through increased mechanisation, strengthened seed systems, expanded value addition, improved agricultural productivity, enhanced climate resilience, and deeper regional cooperation in pursuit of sustainable food and nutrition security.
Discussions focused on accelerating the transition from traditional subsistence farming to commercially oriented, mechanised, and climate-resilient agriculture. Delegates also examined measures to strengthen seed production and processing systems, promote value addition across agricultural value chains, increase agricultural productivity, and enhance environmental sustainability.
Hon. Mbugoniwia led the South Sudan delegation, accompanied by the Undersecretary for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Dr. Michael Roberto Kenyi, and senior technical officials from the relevant directorates of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), who participated in the technical sessions and contributed to the formulation of the Council’s resolutions.
Cross-border trade in agricultural commodities featured prominently during the discussions, with Partner States reaffirming that deeper regional integration remains essential for achieving food security, expanding markets, and driving economic growth across the EAC. The meeting was attended by all EAC Partner States, with one delegation participating virtually.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Hon. Mbugoniwia welcomed the Council’s resolutions, describing them as timely and closely aligned with South Sudan’s agricultural transformation agenda. He noted that the adopted regional frameworks would reinforce the Government’s ongoing efforts to modernize agriculture, strengthen food systems, improve farmers’ productivity, and promote sustainable agricultural development.
The 19th Sectoral Council reaffirmed the commitment of EAC Partner States to work collectively towards building resilient, competitive and sustainable agricultural systems that improve livelihoods and ensure food and nutrition security across the region.
