President Salva Kiir said the government of South Sudan will avail 1 billion US dollars to boost the agricultural sector.

While opening the National legislative assembly on Monday, President Kiir said the country is targeting to become self-sufficient in food production by 2014 – so as to reduce dependence on food imports. President Kiir explained to the national legislative assembly, the government's plans to increase agricultural production.

"We must embark on food self-sufficient by 2014 to revitalize agriculture, government will launch an agriculture investment fund in the magnitude of five billion South Sudan pounds, over one billion US dollars over the next five years, we welcome participation from all partners, public or private, domestic and international"

President Kiir also called on the national parliament to endorse the media bills so as to regulate the operation of media houses. The President said the media laws will protect the rights of journalists.

The media bills were approved by the Council of Ministers in April and are awaiting scrutiny by the legislative assembly. The three bills include the main media bill, the charge to information bill and the Information and broadcasting bill. They were presented to parliament last year but were withdrawn, following concerns raised by journalists and sections of the civil society.