Sudan targets 3 million feddans in winter crop drive, recovers lost seed stocks

October 8, 2026 (OMDURMAN) – Sudan plans to cultivate 3 million feddans (1.26 million hectares) of winter crops and has recovered most of its war-depleted crop gene bank, the agriculture minister said on Thursday, playing down nationwide food shortage fears.

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has devastated agricultural infrastructure, caused severe input shortages, and disrupted planting in key breadbasket states since April 2023.

“There is no general shortage of food in safe areas, and food security indicators in Sudan are good, although there are challenges and gaps in regions affected by war,” Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Esmat Mohamed Qurashi said at a press briefing in Omdurman.

The summer harvest produced around 5.8 million tonnes of grain and crops despite erratic rainfall, providing a buffer for strategic reserves, Qurashi said.

Qurashi said the state-run Agricultural Research Corporation had recovered roughly 70% of plant genetic resources looted or lost during the conflict and produced 22 new crop varieties across eight staples to reduce dependence on imported seeds.

The government’s winter farming plan includes planting 1 million feddans of wheat, alongside targeted support for smallholders with seeds and fertilizer.

Qurashi also reaffirmed the state’s reliance on the Agricultural Bank of Sudan to finance growers, urging farmers to settle debts to keep credit lines open for future planting cycles.