Sudanese farmers warn for ‘famine’ if fuel crisis continues

Farmers of El Gezira and El Managil Agricultural Scheme are warning for “famine in the country”, as they doubt the upcoming farming season will bring about any yields.

“The fuel crisis that has affected many walks of life and the daily movement of people is now threatening the agricultural season as well,” Hasabo Ibrahim, a leading member of El Gezira and El Managil Agricultural Scheme told Radio Dabanga on Sunday.

“So far, there is no sign of preparing for the summer season because of the scarcity of fuel.”

He explained that from March until May the land had to be prepared for growing crops such as sorghum, groundnuts, and vegetables. “The success of the season depends on this preparation, so there is no sign of hope on the horizon.”

The farmers cannot afford to buy fuel at the black market. “They ask astronomical sums for a gallon of diesel.

“All the 130,000 farmers of the Scheme have been affected by the lack of diesel, including those who are members of the ruling National Congress Party,” he said.

“Everyone is threatened with poverty already. We expect a famine in the country because there are no signs of a solution coming from Khartoum. The officials are trying to conceal the problem by spreading lies and false information” – El Gezira farmer

‘Terrifying’

Ibrahim described the situation as “terrifying for everyone, as the agricultural season will not only fail in El Gezira, but in all parts of Sudan.

“The farmers in this country have become idle because the problem exceeds the scope of any self-initiative. This is because the fuel crisis is just one of the problems threatening our existence. We also suffer from pests and continuing price hikes, not only of consumer goods, but of cultivation equipment as well.”

He added that “Everyone is threatened with poverty already. We expect a famine in the country because there are no signs of a solution coming from Khartoum. The officials are trying to conceal the problem by spreading lies and false information.”

Earlier this year, farmers in South Kordofan, eastern Sudan, northern Sudan, and Darfur expressed their fears about losing their winter crops because of the lack of fuel for their water pumps and harvesting machines.