Sudan launches big agricultural project to combat poverty

KHARTOUM, July 11, 2005 (Xinhua) — Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir inaugurated on Tuesday a big agricultural project designed to feed the country and combat poverty.

Bashir officially launched the project at a ceremony held 50 km southwest of the capital Khartoum.

Lauding the project as “a realization of an old dream of the Sudanese people,” Bashir expressed hope that it would “help combat poverty in the country.”

The project, called Sundos Agricultural project, will cover 100,000 acres (40500 hectares) of land across three states of Khartoum, the White Nile and Gezeera.

One of the largest projects in Sudan, it will cost 75 million US dollars altogether. Sudanese company Eastern Jebel-Awlia and the China Engineering CO.LTD (CAMC) have contracted to it.

The project plan was first put forward in 1993, but its implementation was halted due to economic embargo imposed on Sudan by the United States and a shortage of cash caused by a years-long north-south civil war.

With a comprehensive peace deal between the government and the southern rebels, Sudanese officials expected the project to increase produce, boost revenues and contribute to the development of Sudan’s economy.