The Western Equatoria State government and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) marked World Food Day on Thursday with a call for peace and collaboration to improve food security.
The event, held at Yambio Freedom Square under the global theme “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future,” brought together government officials, U.N. agencies, NGOs and farmers’ groups.
Deputy Governor Justin Joseph Marona said food is essential for life and urged communities to focus on production rather than conflict.
“Food is life, and without peace, we cannot cultivate or feed ourselves,” Marona said. “I call upon the youth and those holding guns to silence them so that our farmers can grow enough food.”
State Minister of Agriculture Benito Letecia Gbafu emphasized the importance of working collectively to strengthen the agriculture sector.
“The theme reminds us that no one can transform the food system alone,” she said. “We must all — farmers, youth, women, partners and government — join hands.”
Gbafu, described as the state minister of agriculture, highlighted the need to promote local crops, protect the environment and empower youth and women, calling them the backbone of food production.
James Denis, the FAO’s field office coordinator in Western Equatoria, said this year’s celebration marks 80 years of the organization’s work fighting hunger worldwide.
“This year’s theme is a call to action,” Denis said. “We must unite our efforts to ensure that every child, woman and farmer has access to safe and nutritious food.”
He praised farmers for their resilience and reaffirmed the FAO’s support for climate-smart agriculture and livestock health.
A representative from the Star Trust Organization, Joel Binza, linked food security directly to peace.
“Hunger is not just a lack of food — it is a lack of peace and opportunity,” Binza said. “Let food be our bridge to peace and agriculture our path to prosperity.”
The celebration concluded with calls for stronger partnerships to achieve food security in Western Equatoria State.
Insecurity in Western Equatoria state has worsened this year. Tensions between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO, nominal partners in a 2018 peace agreement, have risen amid challenges in implementing the deal.