(ABYEI) – Sorghum will be sold at nearly half the market price in Abyei under a new government subsidy programme launched this week to shield households from soaring food costs during the rainy season.
One Malwuo, a local tin measure holding about four kilogrammes, will sell for 12,000 South Sudanese Pounds, equivalent to two US Dollars at the current market rate of 6,000 SSP. The same quantity costs between 22,000 and 25,000 SSP, or roughly 3.70 to 4.20 Dollars, on the open market.
Abyei Minister of Information Yohana Akol said the programme started in Abyei Municipality and will spread to all four counties of the administrative area. In Abyei town, the subsidised grain will be available every Tuesday and Thursday at designated points in Nyinkuac and Molmol markets until August.
The Ministry of Finance and Planning has set aside 500 sacks of sorghum for the scheme. Each of the five areas, Abyei Municipality, Alal, Ameth Agok, Mijak and Rumamer counties, will receive 100 sacks.
Akol said the programme is meant to ease the cost of living and strengthen food security when many families are planting and have little stored food. He warned traders against buying the cheap grain to resell, saying the subsidy is for households struggling with high prices.