AfDB and WFP Partnership Boosts Sudan's Wheat Production Amidst Conflict

The African Development Bank allocated $75 million to WFP for the Sudan Emergency Wheat Production Project, spanning two years.

An emergency wheat production initiative in Sudan, funded by the African Development Bank and executed by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), has significantly increased wheat yields by up to 70% across targeted project sites in five states over the past year.

The African Development Bank allocated $75 million to WFP for the Sudan Emergency Wheat Production Project, spanning two years. This initiative has proven crucial amidst Sudan's ongoing conflict, which has severely disrupted agricultural activities and heightened the risk of famine.

Nnenna Nwabufo, Director General for Eastern Africa region at the African Development Bank, emphasized the project's timely impact: "Amidst looming hunger and conflict, this initiative has provided a beacon of hope for Sudan. By meeting 22% of the national wheat demand this year alone, the project has demonstrated viable solutions to enhance domestic production and alleviate rising hunger and acute malnutrition."

Mary Monyau, the Bank's Country Manager for Sudan, underscored the project's scope and significance: "This initiative has been pivotal in addressing food security challenges, yielding 645,000 metric tonnes of wheat this year and serving as a critical intervention for internally displaced persons, with over 30% of beneficiaries in the Northern State being IDPs."

She added, "Building on previous agricultural transformation efforts, the project not only responded to immediate crisis needs but also laid foundations for long-term resilience in Sudan's agriculture sector."

Eddie Rowe, WFP Sudan Representative and Country Director, highlighted the project's impact on vulnerable communities: "The conflict has severely disrupted agriculture in Sudan, reducing wheat production to half of its usual output. Thanks to the African Development Bank's support, WFP could mitigate some of these impacts and enhance wheat production."

During the 2023-2024 agricultural season, the project distributed climate-adapted wheat seeds and fertilizers to over 170,000 smallholder farmers across the five states. These efforts spanned relatively stable regions in northern and eastern Sudan, as well as conflict-affected areas like Gezira and White Nile states.

The project's outcomes were promising, with an average 44% increase in productivity per hectare reported by farmers compared to the previous season. It also provided critical support to approximately 16,000 newly displaced farmers, offering resources to rebuild their livelihoods.

Furthermore, the initiative equipped farmer associations in River Nile and Northern states with 12 harvester machines, aimed at improving harvesting efficiency and reducing crop losses.

Sudan faces an unprecedented hunger crisis, with recent WFP analysis identifying 41 hunger hotspots and highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian assistance to prevent approximately 2.1 million people from falling into severe food insecurity (IPC 5).

Investments in agricultural productivity remain essential for Sudan to enhance food availability and resilience amidst escalating violence and humanitarian challenges.