Sudan’s Al Jazirah agricultural project faces 72% decline due to conflict

August 6, 2024 (AL MANAQIL) – Agricultural production in Sudan’s key Al Jazirah project has plummeted by 72% compared to the previous season due to the ongoing conflict, the Al Jazirah and Al Manaqil Farmers Alliance reported on Tuesday.

The project, the largest irrigated agricultural scheme in Sudan, consists of 18 sections. Most are controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), while the army controls the Al Manaqil sections.

The alliance said that in Al Manaqil, only 22% of the usual one million acres were cultivated this season. The cultivated area for cotton, corn, peanuts, and vegetables now stands at 27,652 acres, down from 123,699 acres in the previous season.

In the RSF-controlled Al Musallamiya section, cultivation has dropped to a mere 6%, with only 3,500 acres cultivated compared to 55,900 acres previously.

Mohsen Al-Naama, a member of the alliance’s secretariat, described the decline as “frightening,” blaming the conflict, targeted attacks on agricultural areas, displacement of farmers, and looting of resources. He warned of an impending famine due to the drastic reduction in food production.

Al-Naama reported widespread destruction of warehouses, irrigation systems, and agricultural machinery, as well as looting of seeds and fertilizers. He estimated that over 90% of the project’s workforce, numbering more than 5 million, has been affected.

The governor of the Al Jazirah project, Ibrahim Mustafa, confirmed a significant decrease in cultivated areas, accusing the RSF of destroying vital infrastructure.

The conflict has also led to the displacement of residents, leaving only the poorest farmers and workers in the Al Jazirah state, according to the alliance. All agricultural activities have ceased, and the main canal in Sennar has become a military zone.

The alliance also reported soaring commodity prices in Al Manaqil, with the cost of staple foods like corn, beans, and sugar more than doubling in recent months.