Al-Gezira State Ministry of Production and Economic Resources and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation to support reconstruction and recovery efforts in rural areas and to complete development projects aimed at increasing agricultural production, improving livelihoods, and enhancing food security. Dr. Arafa Mahmoud Ahmed, Acting Minister and Director General of the ministry, praised IFAD’s continued support over the past decade during her meeting with the Fund’s Independent Evaluation Mission to Sudan, led by Paolo Silveri. She said IFAD’s projects have made a significant contribution to the development of rural communities and increased agricultural production. She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to restoring all projects affected by the war and returning them to operation and production, expressing the ministry’s readiness to cooperate fully with IFAD to complete ongoing programs and projects in support of producers and rural households. For his part, the head of the evaluation mission said the visit to Al-Gezira State forms part of IFAD’s efforts to support reconstruction and recovery in rural areas, assess the actual needs of local communities, improve livelihoods, and strengthen food security. He noted that the evaluation mission covers eight conflict-affected countries across the Near East and North Africa region. The meeting also reviewed a number of issues related to IFAD’s Natural Resources and Livelihoods Programme in Al-Gezira State, discussing ways to strengthen its role following its suspension during the war, as well as evaluating previous projects and making the necessary arrangements for their continuation in the coming phase.BH/BH