Sudan’s farmers are ready to return – private investment could get them there
A UN-backed initiative seeks $155 million in private investment to help Sudanese farmers return to fields devastated by war, with yields down 40–70% and 19 million facing hunger.
A three-day UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Sudanese Ministry of Finance dialogue in Khartoum concluded with a roadmap for agricultural recovery and potential external investment of $155 million. Over 300 participants from 20 countries, including government officials, financial institutions, and private sector representatives, attended the event to address the crisis in Sudan’s farming sector. The dialogue emphasized the critical role of private sector engagement, which provides 98% of jobs, to drive socioeconomic recovery amid ongoing conflict.
Sudan’s agricultural output has plummeted, with yields falling by 40 to 70% in some areas due to war-related disruptions. The cost of essential inputs like fertilizers and fuel has surged because of regional instability, compounding the challenges faced by farmers. UNDP’s Arvind Kumar noted that food production remains far below national needs, with the civil war displacing 13 million people and leaving 19 million hungry. Before the conflict, Sudan accounted for 12–13% of the global sesame market, a share now reduced to 6%.
UNDP analysis reveals that 90% of farmers cannot access financing, and reliance on aid alone will not sustain food production improvements. The dialogue produced three key outcomes: a commitment to continued private sector engagement, endorsement of a private sector recovery roadmap for agriculture, and a potential $155 million investment from Pakistan, India, Türkiye, Egypt, and Syria. Participants also highlighted the need to reconnect farms with markets and address regulatory barriers hindering business recovery.
UNDP is working to restore a warehouse receipt system to help farmers secure financing by storing produce in approved facilities. The agency is collaborating with Sudanese authorities and UNCTAD to reform customs and port procedures to ease trade. Efforts also include exploring credit guarantees through the banking system to support farmers, alongside ongoing humanitarian assistance to address immediate needs such as education, healthcare, and electricity.