Khartoum - New York: Europe and the Arabs
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said it had distributed nearly 10,000 tons of seeds to 1 million farming families - or 5 million people - in time for the important June-September 2023 planting season. According to This is stated in the United Nations daily news bulletin, a copy of which we received on Thursday morning
According to a new overview released by FAO on Wednesday of its response, this vital seed support has enabled farmers to produce enough food to meet the cereal needs of between 13 and 19 million people, following the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in April 2023. Which led to nearly half of the population falling into a humanitarian crisis.
The FAO said that the total cultivated area for all crops - according to an upcoming assessment of the summer season - is 15 percent less than the annual average during the summer season.
The organization stated that in addition to the conflict, farmers cited mounting other challenges, including high prices for agricultural inputs, including seeds and tools, and severe shortages of inputs, financing, and extension services.
Urgent need for financing
FAO Representative in Sudan, Hongji Yang, said that the support provided by FAO to Sudanese rural communities was tremendous, but the needs are still increasing.
He stressed the need for continued agricultural support, and that "there is an urgent need for funding to match resources with needs."
He added, "This is an urgent reminder of the need to continue taking action now, and to show the people of Sudan that they have not and will not be forgotten."
The organization said that its response comes as a result of the significant increase in food security needs, as it is estimated that more than 20 million people are facing crisis levels of acute food insecurity.
She explained that what further complicates this picture is the expected increase in the outbreak of animal diseases due to the lack of veterinary services and vaccines.
She added that this could lead to significant livestock losses, which could lead to a decrease in meat and milk consumption, leading to higher rates of malnutrition among children.
FAO is expected to reach 700,000 families with a variety of vegetable seeds for the winter season.
It also plans to support about two million agricultural and pastoral families in the period between November and December 2023.
The FAO warned that it urgently needs 75.4 million US dollars, equivalent to about 80 percent of the funding required under the revised humanitarian response plan for Sudan for the period from May to December 2023.