Page 45 - FULL YEAR BOOK 2021

Sudan

SUDAN’S RECORD WHEAT HARVEST IS PROOF THAT BANK AGRICULTURAL

TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM WILL BOOST BREADBASKET GOAL

yields and become self-sufficient in areas.
wheat by deploying productivity-en- The TAAT scheme worked with more
hancing technologies. TAAT aims to than a dozen private seed companies to
raise food output by 100 million tons and produce more than 45,000 tons of certi-
lift 40 million people out of poverty by fied wheat seed in 2018/19 – enough to
2025, by harnessing high-impact, prov- cover targeted wheat production areas
en technologies to raise productivity, in the country with high-yielding seeds
mitigate risks, and promote diversifica- better suited to Sudan’s hot climate.
tion and processing. “Sudan is optimistically referred to as
Sudan’s bold ambition could be an awakening giant, and its vast plains
achievable. Agriculture makes up 40% are seen by development experts as a
Sudan’s record wheat harvest is proof of the national economy and occupies potential bread-basket to feed Africa,”
that Bank agricultural transformation 80% of the workforce. Wheat, sorghum, according to a report by the Bank’s re-
program will boost breadbasket goal and millet provide more than half of the searchers.
Despite coronavirus-related lock- calories consumed by Sudanese people TAAT’s work has been a critical and a
every day.
downs, travel and transport restrictions, defining moment in the lives of 15,000
Sudan has just recorded its largest wheat High temperatures, often exceeding farmers who have benefitted from the
harvest. According to Sudanese offi- 38°C during Sudan’s short wheat grow- program through technology promotion
cials, the nation saw a wheat production ing season, severely limit crop perfor- field days. Similarly, farmers like Ahmed
level of a 1.115 million-ton harvest from mance and yield, while climate change, along the wheat value chain – 44% youth
315,500 hectares of farmland. That’s lower and inconsistent yields inhibit ef- and women – at innovation platform sites
quite an improvement from just five forts, and severely reduces farmers’ in- have been trained in wheat grain and
years ago, when farmers in Sudan work- comes. seed production, value addition, and in-
ing about a quarter-million hectares of The good news is that advances in novation.
land harvested just 472,000 tons of the crop science mean that the situation is “To put it in perspective, the addi-
grain. changing. The TAAT Wheat Compact is tional production will make Sudan 100%
Development experts and economists focusing on accelerated production of self-sufficient in wheat production within
say the nation is on the path to become high-quality certified seeds of heat-tol- the next three years and put the country
Africa’s next wheat-sourcing breadbas- erant wheat varieties and ensuring they in the top three producers of wheat on
ket, and Sudanese farmers and govern- reach farmers who need them. the African continent,” said Martin Fre-
ment leaders are crediting the African In line with this push for increased gene, the Bank’s Director for Agriculture
Development Bank’s Technologies for wheat production, the Sudanese gov- and Agro-Industry.
African Agricultural Transformation ernment, working with ICARDA and the Bank officials say successful TAAT
program, or TAAT, for delivering the lat- Bank, set up eight innovation platforms interventions in Sudan are not unique.
est technology of heat-tolerant wheat to scale up innovative technologies, In Ethiopia, TAAT funds are providing
varieties to Sudanese wheat farmers at seed production and distribution in all 28,000 farmers with seed that can with-
scale. of the country’s major wheat producing stand the lowlands’ high temperatures.
“Now, we consistently have good
quality wheat and in record numbers,”
says Sudan farmer Daf’Allah Mohamed Production (tonnes) of some livestock products in Sudan (2017-2018)
Ahmed, one of more than 1,400 farm-
ers and stakeholders taking part in the Item 2017 Flag 2018 Flag
TAAT program.
During a recent visit by top-level Su- Eggs, hen, in shell 63000 65000
danese Ministry of Agriculture officials, Honey, natural 750 F 740 F
the Bank’s Director for Agriculture and
representatives from TAAT implement- Meat, camel 144000 145000
ing partner the International Center Meat, cattle 379644 Im 388987 Im
for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas
(ICARDA), Ahmed strolled through lush Meat, chicken 68000 70000
green wheat friends, gesturing for the Meat, goat 118000 119000
cameras while describing his agribusi-
ness success. Meat, sheep 263000 264000
“My wheat yield increased from 2.5 Milk, whole fresh cow 2937000 2965000
tons, to 5 tons,” Ahmed says, with a big-
bellied laugh and grinning from ear to Milk, whole fresh goat 1143000 1151000
ear. Skins, goat, fresh 22656 Im 22848 Im
Introduced in 2017 and adopted by
Sudan in the 2017/2018 wheat season, F, FAO estimate Source: FAO Statistical Division 2019
TAAT is helping the country to boost Im, FAO data based on imputation methodology

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