Improved harvest expected in Sudan: UN food agency

Food prices in Sudan remained at record-high levels, despite the generally better food security situation in much of East Africa, a United Nations agency said in its monthly food price index. Agriculture organisations forecasted improved harvests in most parts of Sudan in the coming months, except in the Darfur region and rebel-held areas in South Kordofan. Sudan witnessed a historically poor harvest in the year 2013/14, with 48 percent lower than the previous year’s crop and 68 percent lower than the five-year average. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) also revealed in its index and the biannual Food Outlook report, both released on 9 October, that the current sorghum, millet, and wheat prices are respectively 82 percent, 92 percent, and 64 percent higher than last year. The world’s overall food prices have hit a four-year low, though. The FAO forecasts the global wheat production to reach a record-high in 2014. Sudan’s harvest outlook improves Food security is strongly correlated to Sudan’s rain-fed agricultural sector, and parts of the country were hit by heavy downpours during its latest rainy season. The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS Net) reported that the staple food crops, millet and sorghum, of the next harvest period have enjoyed above-average rainfall in most of Sudan in September. The harvest period lasts from November to January. The network’s Food Security Outlook in September reported an improvement in the food security situation in Sudan in the coming months, owing to anticipated above-average harvests and increasing food access. A mid-season assessment found that eastern and central Sudan have turned into high production zones for staple and cash crops. ‘Darfur less food insecure’ The network does not expect above-average harvests in the Darfur region from October to December, where insecurity, displacement, and seed shortages caused reductions in all areas planted. However, many areas of concern, such as North Darfur and parts in East Darfur, will reportedly improve from a ‘crisis’ to a ‘stressed’ food insecurity phase, compared to the July-September Outlook. ‘Minimal’ would be the best food insecurity phase, according to FEWS Net. At least 20 percent of the displaced population in rebel-controlled areas in South Kordofan will remain in the ‘crisis’ food insecurity phase, owing to the ongoing fighting and restricted access for humanitarians. World Food Day On 16 October, World Food Day, themed ‘family farming’, the FAO revealed that agriculture employs over 35 percent of the total labour force in Sudan, equal to the general agriculture employment in East Africa. Farms run by families account for over 70 percent of Sudan’s staple food crops sorghum and millet.The UN declared 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming, stressing that around 500 million of the world’s 570 million farms are run by families. File photo: A farmer irrigates a field in North Darfur (USAID) Related: WFP Sudan welcomes $2.7 million contribution from Germany (10 September 2014) WFP reduces food rations for Darfur displaced (4 September 2014) Drought, instability worsen food insecurity in Sudan (2 July 2014)