A Leap Forward – Crop Abundance Amidst War
Sudan Events – Agencies
An Analysis of the March 2025 Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission (CFSAM) Report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Prepared by: [African Advisory Center]
Amid the ongoing conflict raging in Sudan since April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the agricultural production sector—which has long been the backbone of Sudan’s national economy—faced tremendous challenges, especially during the planting seasons of the year when the war erupted. Naturally, this led to a severe disruption of food security and a food gap reaching unprecedented famine levels in some parts of Sudan.
While Sudan continues to suffer under this devastating war, many were surprised by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report that showed a “remarkable improvement” in the main grain production for the 2024/2025 season, describing it as one of the best seasons in terms of output since the war began in April 2023. However, the report also highlighted the fragility of the economic and social conditions and the significant impact of the war on Sudan’s agricultural sector.
The report was based on the Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in the Republic of Sudan, which relied on field visits to several Sudanese states including Gezira, Gedaref, Blue Nile, Kassala, Red Sea, Northern, Nile River, Sennar, and White Nile. These states are considered safe and under the control of the Sudanese Armed Forces during December 2024 to January 2025. Additionally, data was collected remotely by a specialized team covering Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan to provide a comprehensive picture of agricultural production for 2024/2025. The data collection process included interviews with government institutions, state authorities, UN and NGOs, as well as field visits and interviews with farmers, herders, and traders.
Satellite data and vegetation cover images were also used to support field information, especially regarding rainfall performance and vegetation conditions.
Grain Production: An Unexpected Leap Amidst War
Total grain production reached 6.7 million tons, representing a 62% increase compared to the previous year, and 7% higher than the five-year annual average (6.26 million tons).
According to the Sudan Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission report:
Sorghum was the backbone of this surge, with production reaching approximately 5.4 million tons—a 77% increase over the previous year and 30% higher than the five-year average.
Millet showed slight improvement, with production around 793,000 tons—16% more than 2023, but still 45% below the five-year average.
Wheat, planted in the winter season, was estimated at about 490,000 tons—a 30% increase from the previous year despite reduced cultivated areas due to weak financing and rising input costs.
The total area planted with grains increased to 15.1 million hectares, up 10% from the 2023/2024 season (13.7 million hectares), and 5% above the five-year average (14.4 million hectares).
Rainfall: A Seasonal Blessing Easing War’s Impact
In a country where more than 95% of agricultural production depends on rain-fed farming, abundant rainfall was a decisive factor in the season’s success. The report noted that the 2024 rainy season exceeded average rainfall amounts and was characterized by well-timed distribution across most regions, helping expand cultivated areas and improve pasture quality, despite brief drought spells in areas like South Kordofan and Sennar.
Field teams reported excellent vegetation cover ahead of the harvest season, positively impacting grain crops as well as pastures that feed around 112 million heads of livestock nationwide.
Shortages in Agricultural Inputs
Despite production improvements, the agricultural sector still suffers shortages in essential inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, improved seeds, fuel, and financing. The report confirmed that the Ministry of Agriculture was unable to provide the required seed quantities this season, while FAO distributed 5,303 tons of improved seeds to over half a million farmers.
Farmers in various states reported relying on saved seeds from the previous season or on locally purchased seeds at high prices, often uncertified, affecting crop quality in some areas.
Financing Crisis: A Major Challenge to Agricultural Continuity
The war disrupted the banking system, leading to suspension of activities of the Sudan Agricultural Bank in several states. Only about 7,100 farmers benefited from agricultural financing this season, compared to over 22,000 in 2022—a 68% decline.
Total agricultural financing in 2024 was around 55 billion Sudanese pounds, slightly higher than 2023 but still 18% lower than pre-war levels. With reduced government support, farmers had to rely on self-financing or small community loans, limiting especially the expansion of winter farming.
Rising Production Costs: From Tractors to Daily Labor
The report also revealed sharp increases in agricultural input prices. In Gedaref state, prices of some farm equipment more than tripled, exceeding 200% increases.
For instance, the price of a tractor soared from 13 million to 35 million Sudanese pounds within a year, while sunflower seed prices doubled from 11 million to over 22 million pounds per ton.
Labor was relatively available, particularly with many displaced persons engaged in farming, but daily wages more than tripled compared to the previous year, increasing the cost of manual harvesting.
Livestock Sector: Stable but Fragile
Sudan’s livestock sector comprises approximately 112.5 million heads. The figures reflected remarkable resilience, with animal health improving in 2024 compared to 2023 due to heavy rains that upgraded pasture quality from good to excellent, with expectations of continuation until March 2025.
Government efforts succeeded in vaccinating 8,187,400 heads in states considered safe under armed forces control. The report noted a significant improvement in livestock health, no major disease outbreaks, and increased vaccination rates compared to last year, despite halted local vaccine production.
Pastures were estimated to suffice in feeding livestock through 2025 in most areas, though some states face early resource depletion risks due to animal overcrowding caused by internal displacement.
Economic Impact: Currency Devaluation and Inflation
Economically, the report pointed out that the Sudanese pound lost over 120% of its value in one year; the parallel market exchange rate reached about 2,445 pounds per US dollar in December 2024, compared to only 1,100 pounds in December 2023.
Annual inflation rose to over 240%, directly impacting household purchasing power and exacerbating the crisis.
Despite a 10-20% drop in millet and sorghum prices after harvest, prices remain very high—estimated at five times pre-war levels from March 2023.
The report stressed that abundance in production does not necessarily equate to proportional improvements in food security, given challenges such as movement restrictions, halted markets, and internal displacement.
2025 Outlook: Wheat Deficit and Sorghum Surplus
Sudan’s estimated grain consumption needs in 2025 are about 7.7 million tons, with a deficit of 1.1 million tons. Wheat will account for most of this deficit, while a sorghum surplus of around 979,000 tons is expected, potentially usable to replenish strategic reserves.
However, achieving these figures depends on stabilized conditions, reactivation of transport and distribution networks, and ensuring grain reaches markets and consumers.
The wheat-sorghum balance in Sudan for 2025 reflects more than numbers; it portrays a complex picture of food gaps and structural imbalances exacerbated by war. While the sorghum surplus offers temporary hope, the persistent wheat deficit threatens stable supply in cities and camps.
The real solution lies in restoring stability, reviving production and distribution chains, and rationally investing local resources.
Until then, millions of Sudanese will face this crisis despite the existence of unused food surpluses.
In Conclusion
This report reflects the resilience of Sudanese people amid the war raging since April 2023 and prompts reconsideration of the traditional humanitarian response model, particularly concerning food security. While international institutions have primarily focused on importing food aid and providing direct support to citizens, Sudan’s agricultural sector—despite war, resource scarcity, and institutional collapse—demonstrated extraordinary resilience, recovery, and even growth under extremely complex circumstances.
This exceptional performance, as highlighted in the UN Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission report, proves that reliance on local production, resilience, and resistance is not just a theoretical option or a slogan but a practical, effective, and tested path. It has proven successful in recovery and mitigating war impacts through Sudan’s quality experience in this vital sector, a key national resource.
Despite the harshness of war and multiple crises, the report reveals bright facets of Sudanese willpower evident in agriculture and life. Amid destruction and suffering, an inspiring internal drive emerges, pushing Sudanese toward work and production—not surrender—to cultivate hope amid ruins.
Reality repeatedly proves that the Sudanese people possess immense latent energy not measurable by economic indicators nor captured in aid agency reports. It stems from deep history, strong identity, and a spirit of patience inherited through generations. In a country marked by repeated setbacks and crises, Sudanese people rise time and again from beneath the rubble, carrying a farming hoe, a sack of flour, or a schoolbook, as if telling the world, “We are here, staying despite everything.”
This is not merely a struggle for bread, water, or shelter—it is a battle for dignity. It is fought by the farmer in Gedaref who cultivates his field despite fuel shortages, and by mothers in camps who feed their children with whatever is available. It is a fight for life and future—with all the meaning of challenge and faith.
What distinguishes this people is not only resilience but the extraordinary ability to turn hardships into opportunities and destruction into construction. Burnt villages are replanted, looted cities establish new markets, and devastated communities birth youth initiatives fueled only by hope and scant resources yet building much.
From the ashes grows hope; because in Sudan, ashes are not an end but a beginning. From trials, the future is forged; for tomorrow in the Sudanese psyche is not a luxury but an existential necessity.
While the state staggers under war and institutions decline, another power—sometimes invisible but real—emerges: the power of community, bonds, and popular will that never breaks.
Let it be clear: hunger may kill the body, but Sudanese determination protects the soul. From chaos arise small projects, community farms, and self-relief initiatives—all testifying that this people do not wait for a savior but rescue themselves daily.
Thus, the food battle is not just a logistical issue; it mirrors a greater struggle: a struggle to survive with dignity and for a future made by Sudanese hands, no matter how long the night or fierce the storms.
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Source: March 2025 Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission (CFSAM) Report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Africa Focus – Issue 11 – August 2025
