Port sudan: The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, in collaboration with the International Date Council, organized a dialogue session in Port Sudan to discuss the challenges facing date production and marketing in Sudan. The event saw the participation of several directorates from the Ministry and specialized institutions.
According to Sudan News Agency, the session focused on identifying key difficulties hindering date cultivation and production, while reviewing scientific proposals and solutions aimed at developing the sector. Buthaina Mohamed Al-Hassan, the National Coordinator of the International Date Council and Director General of Horticultural Production, emphasized the need for greater efforts to reform the sector through an ambitious program, including workshops and seminars designed to eliminate existing obstacles.
Dr. Badr-Eddin Al-Sheikh, Secretary-General of the Sudanese Palm Cultivation Association, highlighted Sudan’s role as a founding member of the International Date Council and its participation in the inaugural session. He mentioned a 100-feddan area was donated for date cultivation and expansion, with efforts underway to activate this initiative for the benefit of farmers. He stressed the importance of Sudan’s favorable climate in facilitating date exports to global markets.
Ahmed Hassan Assar, Director General of the Agricultural Research Corporation, noted that dates are an essential food crop for many. He explained that Sudan has four date research stations and underscored the importance of raising farmers’ awareness to adopt modern technologies for improved production. Assar also noted the availability of 61 date varieties for research and a developing partnership with Khartoum State.
Ali Fathi Hashim, Representive of the Executive Director of the International Date Council, stated that the Council offers a unified platform for coordinating efforts among member states. He described Sudan as a promising country in date production, capable of overcoming challenges, and viewed the dialogue session as a starting point for joint efforts to develop the sector.
The session concluded with participation from experts and specialists, presenting several working papers with proposed solutions to the challenges facing date cultivation in Sudan.