Rome: Acting Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Abu Bakr Omar Al-Bushra, has called on the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Council, during its 176th session, to acknowledge and respect Sudan’s national positions and previous reservations concerning the document addressing global food security challenges. Dr. Al-Bushra reiterated Sudan’s reservations on specific points in the document for the second time, particularly highlighting paragraphs (a) and (b).
According to Sudan News Agency, Dr. Al-Bushra, in his address at the meeting held in Rome, highlighted the current situation in Sudan and the government’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of its citizens. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has planted 16 million hectares of major crops for the summer season of 2024, with assistance from the FAO, which provided 20,000 tons of certified seeds to aid small farmers.
The Minister reported that, based on current harvest projections, grain production from sorghum and millet is
expected to reach between 7 and 8 million tons, while Sudan’s requirements for these crops are estimated to be between 4.5 and 5 million tons. Dr. Al-Bushra emphasized the government’s actions to open all crossings, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to citizens in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. He also acknowledged the grassroots efforts by citizens and activists in establishing solidarity kitchens, known as takayas, to support displaced persons, which now number 9,280.
Dr. Al-Bushra further addressed the challenges posed by the RSF militia, which has used starvation as a weapon and promoted famine to advance its interests. He reassured that despite these challenges, Sudan possesses vast natural resources and agricultural potential to sustain its food production.
The Minister urged the FAO Council to consider the proposals made by the representative of Kuwait, the Chairman of the Near East and North Africa Group. These proposals include conducting a comprehensive ass
essment of damage to the agricultural sector and food production infrastructure, estimating reconstruction and rehabilitation costs, and developing immediate, medium, and long-term plans to address the conflict’s impact on food security. The Kuwaiti delegate’s statement also called for efforts to mobilize resources for rebuilding the agricultural sector and improving logistics, supply chains, and value chains for agricultural products and trade.