Gezira Scheme Targets Cultivation of 800,000 Feddans During the Winter Season
The Gezira Scheme administration announced plans to cultivate 800,000 feddans of winter crops, including 210,000 feddans dedicated to wheat production.
The Governor of the Gezira Scheme, Engineer Ibrahim Mustafa, revealed during a press briefing held at the scheme’s headquarters in Barakat that the area planted with wheat has declined from 400,000 feddans to 210,000 feddans. He attributed this reduction to rising input costs and financing difficulties faced by farmers.
Mustafa explained that 9,000 feddans have been allocated for seed production to meet next season’s demand for improved seeds, noting efforts by the administration to secure financing through the Agricultural Bank and several international organizations.
He also highlighted the extensive damage inflicted on the scheme as a result of the war, including destruction of irrigation systems and infrastructure, as well as looting of farmers’ machinery and stored crops, which has impoverished a large segment of producers.
The governor reviewed the steps and achievements made with the support of the state leadership, including the provision of a significant number of agricultural tractors, attracting international organizations to support producers, and integrating livestock into the agricultural cycle in some sections of the scheme to mitigate the impact of the war on farmers.
He further noted ongoing efforts to clean irrigation canals and provide diesel fuel to enable farmers to continue agricultural operations during the winter season.
