Singa, June 16, 2026 (SUNA) — Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Professor Ismat Gorashi affirmed that the ministry is working to rehabilitate agricultural projects and infrastructure following the systematic destruction inflicted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, while advancing efforts to modernize the agricultural sector. He revealed that the indicative cultivation plan for the 2026 season exceeds 31 million feddans across Sudan. The remarks came during a joint meeting held in Sennar State on Monday, attended by the Director General of the Sudanese Agricultural Bank, Dr. Salah Abdelrahim, representatives of the Sennar State Government, and leaders of the agricultural and banking sectors. The Minister directed that agricultural financing be linked to the adoption of modern technologies, extension services, and agricultural insurance through the Risk Mitigation Fund to support small-scale farmers. He also disclosed that a proposal had been submitted to the Sovereignty Council and the Council of Ministers aimed at reducing fuel costs, while emphasizing support for cooperative associations, which have achieved a 100 percent repayment rate. For his part, Sennar State Wali Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Al-Zubair Hassan Al-Sayid reviewed the state’s preparations for the current summer cropping season, noting ongoing efforts to turn the challenges and constraints of the 2025 season into opportunities for the new agricultural season. Meanwhile, Director General of the Sudanese Agricultural Bank Dr. Salah Abdelrahim announced that the bank would lead the financing portfolio for the summer season and play a major role in providing fuel, seeds, and fertilizers through a range of financing instruments, including capital financing, Salam financing, and microfinance. He added that priority would be given to the organized agricultural associations in line with the policies of the Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS). In the same context, Director General of the Ministry of Production and Economic Resources in Sennar State Engineer Nour-Eddin Daoud Musa outlined the ministry’s plans to increase productivity and expand targeted cultivation areas in both the rain-fed and irrigated sectors. He also announced plans to establish shelterbelts and tree plantations to compensate for the loss of vegetation cover caused by the war. The Director General of Sennar State’s Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mahjoub Ahmed Mohamed, also reviewed the state’s resources, capabilities, and investment-ready projects. The meeting featured extensive discussions and interventions by representatives of the production and forestry sectors, as well as farmers, on mechanisms for ensuring the success of the 2026 agricultural season and overcoming current challenges.BH/BH