Sudan’s Struggling Farmers: The Human Toll of War and Power Shortages
In the quiet, arid village of Tanqasi, Hatem Abdelhamid stands among rows of dying date palms. These trees, once a symbol of prosperity, now wither under the harsh burden of Sudan’s ongoing conflict. Power outages have crippled irrigation, turning once fertile fields into barren landscapes.
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“I’ve lost 70% to 75% of my crops this year,” Abdelhamid laments, his eyes scanning the wilting rows. He gestures helplessly at the parched earth, a testament to the devastation brought by the country’s recent turmoil. “I’m trying everything I can to keep the rest alive.”
The Agricultural Crisis in Sudan
Sudan, still reeling from a series of crises, finds its agricultural sector at the brink of collapse. Since the outbreak of war between the government forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in April 2023, the country has faced severe nationwide power cuts. These blackouts have left fields without the essential irrigation systems that sustain them.
The war’s toll is severe. Tens of thousands have died, infrastructure lies in ruins, and over 13 million people have been displaced. The specter of famine looms large over half the population, with dire food insecurity gripping conflict-ravaged regions.
A History of Hardship
The current crisis is part of a painful continuum for Sudan’s farmers, who were still recovering from the devastating drought of 1985. The agricultural sector, the lifeline for 80% of Sudanese according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, is once again under siege. The power of nature and politics seem intertwined in their capacity to both nurture and destroy.
Survival Amidst Scarcity
Abdelhamid’s story echoes the struggle of thousands of Sudanese farmers. With electric-powered irrigation systems dormant due to power cuts, many have turned to diesel pumps. But fuel scarcity and skyrocketing prices put this alternative out of reach.
Sitting beside Abdelhamid is fellow farmer Abdelhalim Ahmed, who shares his plight. “I used to spend 10,000 Sudanese pounds on irrigation,” he recalls wistfully. “Now it costs me 150,000 pounds because there is no electricity.” His voice carries the weight of successive failed harvests—crops like oranges, onions, and tomatoes reduced to unfulfilled potential.
The Economic Fallout
Beyond individual losses, the wider economic repercussions are profound. A joint study by the U.N. Development Programme and the International Food Policy Research Institute highlights that nearly one-third of rural households have lost access to irrigation since the war began. A separate analysis predicts that Sudan’s economic output could shrink by as much as 42% if the conflict persists, with agricultural contraction leading the decline.
“Our analysis shows massive income losses across all households and a sharp rise in poverty, especially in rural areas and among women,” explains Khalid Siddig, a senior fellow at IFPRI. The findings emphasize a broader narrative familiar to geopolitics: the rural poor are often the hardest hit in times of conflict.
Coping and Resilience
Yet amid adversity, stories of resilience emerge. Farmers like Abdelhamid and Ahmed are not passive victims but active agents, experimenting with ways to preserve their meager resources. They rely on community networks and traditional methods, holding onto hope amidst uncertainty.
International bodies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization, urge immediate intervention to prevent further agricultural degradation. They warn that “below-average rainfall” and ongoing conflict are narrowing opportunities to reverse the damage.
A Global Challenge
Sudan’s predicament reflects a broader global challenge: conflict-induced food insecurity. From Yemen to South Sudan, war often finds its most visible impact in the fields. It raises the question: How can the world collectively address the nexus of conflict, agriculture, and climate change?
The stakes extend beyond Sudan. As global populations rise and climate change intensifies, the lessons from Tanqasi are crucial. Sustainable solutions and robust international collaborations are needed to ensure that fields, once fertile, are not left barren in the wake of conflict.
Looking Forward
As Abdelhamid and his fellow farmers face the grim reality of potentially losing yet another growing season, they embody a resilience that inspires action. It’s a reminder to policymakers and global citizens alike that behind each statistic stands individuals striving to ensure a harvest for not just today, but for the generations to come.
In this fragile landscape, their voices call for a sustained international commitment to peace and development. For Hatem Abdelhamid and millions like him, the future hinges on diplomacy and support that goes beyond temporary aid—toward lasting change that nurtures not just their crops, but their dreams.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
