Agriculture Official: Expectations of Corn Exports Reopening Soon
Sudan Events – Rehab Abdullah
Fatima Yousif, Director General of Agricultural Production at the Ministry of Agriculture, revealed that a report has been submitted on corn production for the current season, as well as remaining quantities from the previous season, and indicated that an announcement on reopening corn exports is expected.
In exclusive statements, she explained that the proposed cultivated area for the current season amounted to one million feddans of wheat, with a target of 500,000 feddans in the Gezira Scheme. Of this, 70,000 feddans were planted during the winter season with corn, while the remaining area was allocated to legumes, mainly lentils, and other winter crops.
She added that 40,000 feddans of wheat were planted in White Nile State, while River Nile State planted 20,000 feddans of wheat out of a targeted 100,000 feddans, attributing the shortfall to delays in financing.
Regarding the Northern State, Yousif said the proposed cultivated area was 200,000 feddans, but only 40,000 feddans were planted due to financing delays as well. However, she expressed expectations that the cultivated area would increase once inputs are delivered by the Agricultural Bank.
She noted that the proposed cultivation area in New Halfa was 80,000 feddans, of which 50,000 feddans were planted, in addition to the cultivation of cowpeas and lentils. As for Rahad, she said the area has not entered the agricultural season for some time due to water-related problems.
