Undersecretary for Agriculture and Food Security

Dr. Kanisio holds a master’s degree in Agricultural Development and Rural Finance and Tropical Animal Health from the University of Khartoum, Sudan, and University of Bradford, UK, respectively. He studied veterinary medicine at the University of Zagazig, Egypt.

After the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Dr. John Kanisio was one of the few staff members who created and operated South Sudan’s first Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries from scratch.

As the Undersecretary for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. John Ogoto Kanisio leads the planning, and coordination efforts at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) with an aim to strengthen and commercialize small scale subsistence agriculture to address demands of food security and boost economic growth in South Sudan. Dr. Kanisio has extensive experience of working with bilateral and multilateral development partners in South Sudan to help vulnerable and food insecure people affected by man made and natural disasters. He previously served as Secretary General of the General Secretariat of South Sudan Food Security Council, a multisector stakeholder institution chaired by the President of the republic that sought to address the country’s food and nutrition security crisis.