National Agriculture and Livestock Extension Policy (NALEP). The Implementation Framework, Plan and Budget.

The NALEP document and its Implementation Framework is a national plan with a multi-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the Implementation Framework is 5 years from 2011 to 2016. The Implementation Framework aims at promoting the development of extension services. The goal of the NALEP is to transform agriculture and livestock from traditional and subsistence systems to achieve food security, wealth creation and national economic growth through science based, market oriented, competitive and profitable agricultural and livestock systems.
As mentioned, the document aims at ensuring food security. The first three sections give an indication on what the Republic of South Sudan should do in order to transform its agriculture and livestock sector from a subsistence-systems-based one to a more efficient one capable to help the country achieve in a relatively short period of time.
The overall objective is to guide the establishment and implementation of a pluralistic extension system for achieving national agricultural and livestock goals, efficiently contribute to the national economy and reduction of poverty, through developing and improving the efficiency of sustainable agriculture, livestock, water, forestry and rangeland resource sub-sector activities, based on sound environmental practices.
The plan aims at reducing rural poverty. Specific measures are laid down to empower rural households and their institutions as regards access to appropriate rural services and extension. Women's representation in all extension activities at all levels will be increased to better reach female farmers and women-headed households. Needs-based training and advice to Extension Service Providers (ESPs) will be provided. In addition, farmers’ information centers will be established.
Further the Plan aims at enabling more efficient and inclusive agricultural systems. A favorable and enabling environment for quality and effective extension services to a broad clientele at all levels will be created. This will be done by: a) developing gender sensitive norms, standards, guidelines and a system of registration of ESPs; b) conducting farmers’ information needs assessment at all levels; c) planning and implementing extension programmes; d) establishing multilateral and bilateral partnerships such as Government of South Sudan, States, Development Partners, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to harmonize and coordinate the delivery of extension services; and e) facilitating the implementation of NALEP through increased resources for extension. A wide range of participatory extension approaches and methods will be promoted. Support for extension facilitation factors such as markets, inputs, credit facilities, infrastructures, irrigation facilities and subsidies will be increased. A study will be conducted to identify and prioritize cross cutting issues in agriculture and livestock extension services.
The Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee is on top at the Government level and The Technical Committee is established under it. In addition, a NALEP Implementation Committee will be formed to coordinate the work of making the policy operational. Government bodies, Development Partners, Extension Service Providers and the Extension Clientele itself will be involved in NALEP Implementation.