Summer Agricultural Season: Blue Nile Farmers Between Suffering and Hope

Ghazi Jaber – Moatinoon Report
"Over the past years, I have never stopped farming, regardless of the circumstances and challenges. I used to cultivate a minimum of 25 acres annually. Since 2020, I have continued working, and the last season in which I cultivated a large area was 2021, when I cultivated a full 400 acres. However, that season was marked by severe difficulties, most notably the closure of the port during the transitional government, which led to a decline in the cotton crop and caused us, the small farmers, to incur heavy losses. These losses were devastating, and I no longer cultivate large areas."

This is what farmer Ihab Babiker Sisu said to Citizens about farmers expectations and preparations for the summer agricultural season in Blue Nile State, South Sudan.

"After the 2021 season, I resorted to farming in limited areas and began diversifying my crops between cotton, snacks, and sometimes corn or millet," Sisu adds. "But last season was the most difficult ever. I planted three times, and each time I lost the crop. Once, it was swept away by floods, another time, it was eaten by livestock, and I ended up without harvesting a single qandool. I lost nearly 2 million pounds on an area of 25 acres, and I never recovered anything."

With the ongoing war in Sudan, large swathes of the country have witnessed a near-total halt in various sectors of work, especially in the economic sector. Companies and factories, both public and private, have incurred significant losses, and the negative effects of the war have extended to the agricultural sector, one of the most important pillars of the national economy.

The Blue Nile region is no exception, having suffered greatly as a result of the ongoing conflict, especially after the Rapid Support Forces took control of the city of Singa and some areas adjacent to and bordering Damazin, the regional capital. This situation posed a direct threat to the citys security and stability, prompting large numbers of its residents, particularly merchants, capitalists, and farmers, to leave the region. This left a clear vacuum during the past agricultural season and increased citizens fears of a looming famine.

With the start of this agricultural season, amidst relative stability, farmers returned to their fields with renewed spirit and remarkable enthusiasm. They have already begun implementing the initial preparations for the season, which include maintenance and overhauling agricultural machinery and equipment, including tractors, sprayers, and cultivators, as well as preparing the land. Actual land preparation is expected to begin next June. Local estimates indicate that at least 60% of the farmers who left the region have returned, a positive sign of the improving agricultural climate.

With the start of the upcoming season, Sisso plans to grow snacks in partnership with his friend from the city of Roseires, who will provide financial support, while he will oversee the technical and agricultural supervision. "We decided to cultivate the entire area with vegetables," he said. "But the costs have become unbearably burdensome. I believe it is no longer possible for any farmer to operate alone, even in small areas, let alone large ones."

Finance and the Agricultural Bank
Farmers are circulating news of a meeting they had with the director of the Agricultural Bank, during which he expressed the banks willingness to provide the necessary support to ensure the success of the agricultural season and directed employees to open bank accounts for every farmer who meets the required criteria. The banks management also took exceptional measures for some farmers with deferred debts, extending the repayment period for several years. This step was described as positive, especially since it takes into account the harsh conditions farmers experienced during the war.

Ehab expresses his concern about financing: "I dont have an account with the Agricultural Bank, and I havent thought about opening one because I see that most of the financing goes to large, well-off farmers. Small farmers, however, are the backbone of agriculture and are the first to receive financing."

Farmers own tractors, sprayers, and other machinery, while small farmers own nothing. If they obtain financing, they can cultivate, produce, and contribute to the local and national economy.

However, farmer Hassan Suleiman Benso tells Citizens that he and others planted last season in the western part of the state. He added that all the people of the western region made an effort to cultivate their lands. But this beautiful dream was shattered by the security chaos: theft, looting, and robbery. "All of this forced us to flee, fearing for ourselves and for what remained of our property." Indeed, nothing was saved. Everything we owned was stolen, and all we had left was to flee under the hail of enemy fire."

Regarding financing, Benso says he receives support from the Agricultural Bank, but the procedures are long and complicated, and the profits from the support are so high they resemble usury, increasing the burden on farmers rather than alleviating them.

Farmer Mohammed Zaroug Ibrahim seemed optimistic, hoping that Sudan would enjoy security and stability, especially with the ongoing preparations for the season. However, speaking about financing, he added, "I havent received financing for three years. The problem isnt with the banks policies, but with the long complications." Even when we do receive funding, it doesnt arrive on time.

Major Challenges Facing the Agricultural Season
Despite the remarkable interest of citizens in agriculture, driven by economic factors, most notably the unprecedented rise in maize prices, with a sack costing between 55,000 and 75,000 Sudanese pounds, compared to 18,000 pounds last year, there are several real challenges facing the summer agricultural season in Blue Nile. In addition to security challenges and fears of instability due to the war, there are real challenges facing farmers, including:
- Fuel shortages and rising prices.
- Delayed provision of improved seeds.
- Weak irrigation infrastructure.
- Fears of climate change and its impact on agricultural viability.
- The lack of a strict mechanism to ensure funding is directed to actual farmers.

Regarding the challenges facing the current season, farmer Ihab Babiker Seeso said, "I have already begun clearing the land, burning waste, and cutting the stubble." I started thinking about how to secure pesticides, improved seeds, and some gasoline, especially with the expected price hike. But so far, we havent been able to secure enough cash to purchase fertilizers and pesticides. However, this year, there is a general enthusiasm among farmers, unlike the previous season, which saw low production due to security conditions. Some planted and were displaced, while others planted but were unable to protect their crops from livestock.

He added that the biggest challenges currently are protection, providing labor, and securing the crop from livestock and theft. He noted that some farmers are taking risks and introducing improved fertilizers and seeds, "but the question is: How do we protect these investments? This requires concerted efforts from all relevant parties, both governmental and civil."

Security remains the biggest challenge facing the agricultural season, as highlighted by the testimonies of many farmers who demanded security and protection for farmers, while also highlighting agricultural issues and farmers concerns.