Fact-check: Facebook post allegedly from the Ministry of Agriculture is a hoax

Long-running hoax busted: Facebook page falsely claims South Sudan’s Agriculture Ministry is collaborating with international organisations to boost agricultural production.

Writer: Emmanuel Bida Thomas

A claim made by a Facebook page named “Ministry of Food and Agriculture South Sudan,” which purports that the Ministry of Agriculture, in conjunction with various international organisations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and World Food Program (WFP) are supporting farmers, agribusinesses, and business development enterprises to help improve agricultural production and fight unemployment in South Sudan is a hoax.

The post directs interested applicants to apply through a shortened URL link https://shorturl.at/gKO59. However, 211 Check can confirm that this claim is false and misleading after conducting thorough research and investigations. 

The Facebook page “Ministry of Food and Agriculture South Sudan” is not an official page of the South Sudanese government. Instead, It is a newly created account previously named “South Sudan Food and Agriculture Foundation.” This raises questions about the claim’s authenticity and authority to make such statements.

The application link in the claim does not lead to the official website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in South Sudan https://mafs.gov.ss/. Instead, it redirects users to a Google-designed document form, which is suspicious and raises concerns about data privacy and security.

There is no evidence to support the claim that the Ministry of Agriculture in South Sudan is working with the IMF, World Bank, IFAD, and WFP to support farmers, agribusinesses, and business development enterprises. These organizations have not released official statements or information confirming their involvement in such an initiative.

The claim is a long-running hoax that keeps resurfacing on Facebook. It has been doing the rounds for about two years since at least 2021, and 211 Check debunked here and here. All the previous pages have been unpublished, but new ones are created to share the same false information.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds that the claim made by the Facebook page “Ministry of Food and Agriculture South Sudan” is false and misleading. We advise the public to be cautious when interacting with such social media posts and verify the authenticity of any claims before acting on them.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It is crucial to fight against misinformation and disinformation in mainstream and alternative media by avoiding becoming a victim of fake news. To prevent the spread of false information, you must refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or unaware of its origin. Disinformation and misinformation can be incredibly dangerous because they can mislead people and cause harm. For instance, false information on health matters can lead to wrong decisions that can put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it’s vital to fact-check information before sharing it to promote accurate and reliable information. Visit https://211check.org/ for more information on our fact-checking process, or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 if you want to present a claim. Our team will promptly respond to your request because we believe #FactsMatter.