Sudan Between the Hammer of War and the Anvil of Hunger: Will the Agricultural Campaign Save the Country? – Something for the Fatherland – ✍️ M. Salah Ghariba See More
Sudan is going through an unprecedented humanitarian and economic ordeal, as the effects of the ongoing war combine with growing climate challenges, threatening the food security of millions of citizens. In this context, the statements of Lieutenant General Jaber, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Success of the Agricultural Campaign, raise great hopes that the agricultural sector will be the savior of this crisis.
Lt. Gen. Jaber believes that the current agricultural season brings good news, as estimates indicate unprecedented productivity, despite the difficult circumstances the country is going through. Despite the war, floods and heavy rains, the cultivated areas have expanded considerably, with emphasis on staple food crops.
Despite the optimism contained in these statements, achieving food security in Sudan faces serious challenges that require careful analysis, including the ongoing war. The war is leading to the destruction of agricultural infrastructure, the displacement of farmers and the disruption of supply chains, which reduces their productivity and increases production costs. Sudan is witnessing rapid climate change, represented by an increase in the severity of droughts and floods, which leads to the deterioration of agricultural land and fluctuations in agricultural production. The Sudanese agricultural sector is also suffering from a severe lack of investment, which leads to a decline in productivity and the use of old agricultural techniques, even in the case of abundant agricultural production, poor distribution can exacerbate the problem of hunger, as food does not reach the neediest groups, and the spread of corruption in some sectors, particularly the agricultural sector, leads to a waste of resources and undermines efforts to ensure food security.
To overcome these challenges and achieve food security in Sudan, a set of urgent medium and long-term measures must be taken, including ending the war. Any progress in food security is directly linked to ending the war and achieving sustainable peace, in addition to investing in agricultural infrastructure, investments must therefore be directed towards developing agricultural infrastructure, including irrigation, drainage, storage and farming methods, must support agricultural research to develop improved crop varieties, resist pests and diseases and adapt to climate change, while providing affordable agricultural inputs to farmers, including: seeds, fertilizers and pesticides, developing agricultural markets to ensure that agricultural products reach consumers at fair prices and reducing food waste. ensuring that agricultural aid and projects reach the real beneficiaries, in addition to strengthening the capacities of farmers by providing agricultural training and awareness, and international efforts to support Sudanese efforts in the field of food security, by providing technical and financial assistance.
The current agricultural season represents a real opportunity to achieve food security in Sudan, but this requires the combined efforts of all parties, including the government, the international community, the private sector and farmers themselves. Achieving this goal is not only an economic challenge: it is also vital for the stability and prosperity of the country.
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