Table 9 Strengths and weaknesses of plant health system function of South Sudan

Crop production

Availability of land for crop production expansion

Some farmers are involved in irrigated production

Low input, e.g., fertilizer, agrochemicals, and improved seeds and low output subsistence systems of production

Low uptake of conservation practices

The smallholder production system has a low commercial orientation

High prevalence of insect pests, diseases, and weeds accompanied by low management strategies implemented by farmers

Agricultural input supply

The existence of seed testing labs for quality assurance

The presence of plant breeders in the country involved in research on seed

The presence of agro-input dealers for providing seeds, fertilizer, and pest control products

The heavy presence of NGOs and the international community that supports the provision, distribution, and training on the use of inputs

There is a limited capacity of critical actors involved in input supply in the country, including breeders, to provide bespoke solutions related to plant health appropriate for different regions

Limited public awareness and sensitization regarding approved inputs and existing regulations

Poor infrastructure, including poor roads, fewer numbers, and equipped testing labs

Lack or limited enforcement of input-specific laws/policies

An inefficient input distribution network leading to high costs and unavailability of crucial plant health inputs

Heavy reliance on external inputs limits self-sufficiency and context-specific solutions

The low purchasing power of inputs by smallholder farmers

Farmer advisory services

The existence of the Plant Protection Directorate (PPD) that oversees the extension system in the country

Existence of agricultural training and vocational institutes (TVETs)

Availability of ICTs, including. Social media and radio/TV are used to disseminate agricultural information

High coverage of mobile phone services

Significant involvement by NGOs providing agricultural advisory services

Limited numbers of agricultural extension service providers limiting advisory services to farmers

Limited number of extension training centres in the country

Limited funding for the provision of public advisory services

Research and technology development

Established a directorate of research in the MAFS

Draft policy on plant health research in the pipeline

Inadequate funding to operate research effectively

Limited research institutions and researchers

Limited research laboratories and equipment in the country

Diagnostic services

A draft plant protection policy covering diagnosis and diagnostic services exists

Existence of a research and plant protection directorate that oversees diagnosis, among other functions

The country has a large pool of graduates in agriculture and diagnostic disciplines

Basic efforts to enhance diagnostic services, e.g., through the Emergency Locust Response Project, exist

Limited diagnosticians and diagnostics labs at both national and state levels

Inadequate research in plant health matters from research and academia limiting diagnosis

Inadequate extension service providers for on-field diagnosis and advice to farmers

Available policies are still at the draft stage, limiting implementation or enforcement

Policy, Regulation and Control

PHS draft policies- seed, pesticides, and fertilizer- at different stages of development, which will be critical in guiding specific plant health issues, e.g., farmer advisory, subsidies, market price, and quality of inputs

Draft policies are still not implemented, providing loopholes along the PHS, including limiting enforcement

Lack of established regulatory frameworks, e.g., harmonized standards, input distribution, etc

Plant health information management

Plant protection and extension service providers are available at national and state/county levels

Availability of mobile phones and other ICTs for the collection and dissemination of agricultural information

Lack of policy framework for PHIM in the country

Limited infrastructure/system/database for data storage and management

Limited transport infrastructure for extension service to collect and disseminate information for surveillance and early warning

Insecurity in South Sudan limiting real-time surveillance

Agricultural training

There are agricultural training facilities, both private and public

Previous development partners' support efforts have enhanced their capacity to undertake training

Limited funding by the government

It has limited human resource capacity that has hindered its operations, including disseminating knowledge