The work described in this report is afirst step to addressing the longer-term issues related tothe competitiveness of South Sudan's farmers in aregional context. It focuses on the options for increasingthe amount and value of agricultural production in the cropsector, the potential contribution of rural roads toincreasing crop production and how to sequence andprioritize rural road investments in a way that maximizestheir contribution to realization of the country's fullagricultural potential, especially in light of the competingneeds for resources, the very high construction andmaintenance costs of rural roads, and the low capacity ofthe local construction industry. The report also explorespossible ways of increasing the cost competitiveness ofagriculture in South Sudan vis-a-vis its neighbors (Ugandaand Sudan). The core sections of the report include: i) anassessment of the potential for expanding cropland toincrease agricultural production; ii) assessment of thecontribution and role of improved rural roads and enhancedaccess to markets in creating incentives for futureexpansion of cultivated land in areas with high agriculturalpotential; iii) an estimation of budget requirements forroad investments in areas with high agricultural potential;and iv) an analysis of the implications of better roadinfrastructure for agricultural competitiveness, includingan assessment of farm price and cost competitivenessvis-a-vis Uganda and Sudan, to highlight areas where costscan be reduced to enable South Sudan to compete with foodimports, even if local marketing and logistics costs declinein the future.
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