Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Chairs Meeting on the Success of the Summer Agricultural Season

Khartoum – Sudanhorizon

Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Professor Ismat Qurashi, chaired the second meeting of the Committee for the Success of the Summer Agricultural Season on Tuesday at the Ministry of Health Hall in Khartoum. The meeting was attended by representatives of state governments, financing institutions, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

The committee approved the minutes of its previous meeting and received a briefing from the minister on the outcomes of his recent visit to Turkey. The visit included discussions on a number of priority agricultural projects, particularly strategic and contractual partnerships for irrigated agriculture, as well as opportunities for cooperation in food processing, gum arabic production, and training in smart agriculture.

The minister explained that the Agricultural Bank of Sudan had announced, during a press conference in Port Sudan, its plan to finance the upcoming summer season. The bank aims to contribute financing for 40% of the targeted cultivation area of 25 million feddans, with a focus on supporting agricultural associations and simplifying financing procedures.

He further noted that the ministry had submitted several requests to the Council of Ministers, including exemptions for agricultural diesel fuel and production inputs from various taxes and fees. These measures are intended to support producers and encourage agricultural expansion. He emphasized that the government is giving significant attention to the agricultural sector during the current period, according to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.

For his part, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation for the Irrigation Sector, Engineer Dho Al-Bait Abdel Rahman, stated that the water situation in irrigated agricultural projects is reassuring. He noted that reservoirs currently maintain adequate water levels and that the necessary equipment is available. However, he pointed out that electricity-related challenges continue to affect some projects, particularly the Rahad Agricultural Project.

The meeting also reviewed the availability of seeds for various crops and discussed the needs of agricultural extension services and plant protection programs. Participants stressed the importance of strengthening agricultural extension services and linking them to early warning systems and digital transformation initiatives, in addition to providing transportation and logistical support for technical teams.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the committee received briefings from financial authorities and banking institutions regarding financing arrangements for the upcoming agricultural season. State representatives also presented their urgent needs, including financing, seeds, agricultural inputs, and the removal of tax burdens on agricultural diesel fuel, all aimed at ensuring a successful season and achieving targeted production levels.

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