Sudan’s Minister of Agriculture Addresses IGAD Ministerial Meeting 

Addis Ababa – Sudanhorizon

Prof. Ismat Qurashi, the Sudanese Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, addressed the IGAD ministerial meeting on Thursday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting discussed the “Regional Investment Plan for Agri-Food Systems (2026–2035)” and the “Regulatory Policy Framework for Seeds.”

In his remarks, IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu highlighted the need to uphold Sudan’s unity and its leading role in bolstering food security and agricultural sustainability across the Horn of Africa.

For his part, the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in enhancing food security and increasing agricultural output. He noted Sudan’s wealth of agricultural resources—including vast areas of rain-fed and irrigated land, livestock assets, and opportunities for regional food trade—and affirmed the country’s commitment to regional cooperation aimed at making the IGAD region more food-secure, resilient, and prosperous.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of focusing on agri-food system resilience, climate-smart agriculture, water management, seed development, agricultural trade, and value chain development. He stressed that the interests of farmers must remain at the core of regional agricultural policies and investments.

Professor Qurashi called upon IGAD and its partners to prioritize investment in irrigation rehabilitation, water harvesting, agricultural infrastructure, seed improvement, and post-harvest systems. He also expressed Sudan’s support for stronger cooperation among member states, emphasizing the importance of respecting local laws and regulations regarding seed production, quality assurance, and variety development.

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