Gedaref’s sesame harvest begins, facing labour and cost hurdles
October 4, 2024 (GEDAREF) – Farmers in Sudan’s eastern Gedaref state have begun harvesting sesame from 1.2 million acres, but the season is being hampered by labour shortages and inflated packaging costs, officials said.
Gedaref, a key agricultural region, has seen a surge in cultivation this year, with 9.5 million acres planted in various crops. This record figure is attributed to an influx of farmers displaced by conflict in other parts of Sudan.
However, Ahmed Babiker Shola, a member of the Gedaref farmers’ committee, told Sudan Tribune that the closure of the Gallabat border crossing with Ethiopia due to clashes between the Ethiopian military and Fano militias has cut off the supply of seasonal workers.
“The sesame harvest, which promises a substantial yield, faces complexities and obstacles,” Shola said. He urged the government to intervene by ensuring banks finance harvesting operations and provide necessary materials like sacks and machinery.
Last season, Gedaref produced 2 million sacks of sesame from 650,000 acres, with prices reaching 98,000 Sudanese pounds ($160) per quintal (100 pounds).
Shola warned of “suspicious trading practices” emerging in local markets, with traders exploiting the situation by hoarding sacks and inflating prices. He said the cost of a bale of sacks has jumped to 1.5 million pounds from 900,000, calling for price controls and crackdowns on profiteering.
Security concerns also loom over the harvest, with Shola highlighting the need to protect crops from theft and prevent incursions by herders in areas bordering other states.
Economist Mu’tasim Haroun stressed the need for clear policies to support the harvest, including ensuring the availability of fuel, machinery, and crop protection supplies. He also called for measures to prevent sesame hoarding and smuggling.
“A state of economic emergency should be declared, and resources directed towards harvesting operations,” Haroun said, emphasizing the importance of sesame exports for generating foreign currency earnings.
Gedaref authorities have deployed military reinforcements along key roads to secure the harvest and transport routes. The government is also working to repair roads and bridges damaged by recent floods.