Sudan produces record cereal crop
Sudan, Economics, 1/9/1999

Sudan has produced a record 6.5 million tonnes of cereal in 1998, according to a report jointly issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Rome-based UN Food And Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The report, quoted by the Pan-African news agency (PANA), said cereal production for the current agricultural season up to the end of January 1999, was 30 percent higher than the quantity produced 1986, which was one of its most successful agricultural years.

The Minister of Agriculture, Nafi Ali, who made the announcement at a press briefing in Khartoum, attributed the high yield to "the good and well-distributed summer rainfall plus the absence of pests" that often destroy vast areas of cropland.

He said Sorghum, a staple for most Sudanese, accounted for some 75 percent of the harvest while the rest is made up of millet and legumes.

Ali said the output would be added to some 800,000 tonnes of cereals in stock from the previous season, bringing the total national stock to "about 7.3 million tonnes."

According to FAO estimates, Sudan needs 3 million tonnes of sorghum annually for local consumption.

In addition, the country requires one million tonnes of wheat for urban consumption. Some 450,000 tonnes of this is produced in the North and Central plains where the cold winter provides a favorable climate for the crop.

Previous Stories:
  Sudan wants to join World Trade Organization   (12/26/1998)
  Wilderness threatens Sudan   (10/29/1998)
  Sudanese minister: Great investment projects between US and Egypt   (1/28/1998)

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