Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation: Crops are Available in Sudan… Importing is Neither a Shame nor a Shortcoming

Sudanhorizon – Nashwa Ahmed Al-Tayeb

In an exclusive statement Engineer Ammar Hassan Bashir, Director of Food Security at the General Directorate of Agricultural Planning and Economics in the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, stated that food security is a multifaceted issue involving all state institutions. He explained that no single department, ministry, or sector possesses a definitive solution to its problems, calling for a shift away from the outdated notion that places this responsibility on one entity alone.

He affirmed that food crops are available in Sudan, noting that availability is affected by numerous factors in addition to irrigation. He pointed out that the country suffers from a persistent wheat deficit due to high consumption compared to production that falls short of self-sufficiency, a goal achieved only in 1992.

He stated that importing crops from abroad is neither a shame nor a shortcoming, but rather one of the mechanisms for food management in the country, alongside strategic reserves and food aid. He added, however, that imports should not be unlimited, as they put pressure on hard currency reserves in a challenging economic climate. He cited the recent lifting of import restrictions as a measure to address the sharp rise in prices of basic commodities such as wheat and legumes.

He added that declining domestic production drives up prices unless the state maintains a strategic reserve. He pointed out that such a reserve serves producers by purchasing surplus production and consumers by supplying goods to the markets. He warned that the absence of support policies and food safety nets deprives vulnerable groups of access to food, noting that many families have changed their eating habits, reducing their consumption or switching to cheaper alternatives.

He explained that agriculture is the cornerstone of food availability, but it is not the entirety of food security. It also encompasses quality and safety, sustainability and adaptability, and affordability. He cautioned that Sudan faces structural challenges that require sound management of its natural resources to meet the needs of present and future generations.

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