Khartoum, March 8, 2026 (SUNA) – Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Dr. Ismat Gurashi issued a comprehensive ministerial directive to establish a permanent national committee for cotton, tasked with outlining the next phase for this key economic crop.The minister said the decision aims to bring together all relevant stakeholders under one umbrella to monitor the cotton crop throughout the year and address impediments facing production, from the provision of seeds to processing and marketing operations.The directive also announced the development of the National Strategy for the Development of the Cotton Value Chain (2026–2030), a five-year plan aimed at transforming Sudanese cotton from a mere agricultural crop into an integrated industry with high value added.It added that the strategy will include a comprehensive analysis of the current situation, with a focus on expanding crops with scientifically proven competitive advantages.The minister further stressed the need to design an integrated financing model, establish guarantees to reduce financing risks, and create a permanent coordination platform for cotton.The decision comes within a broader plan by the Ministry of Agriculture to restructure industrial crops and strengthen the role of the private sector in production and processing, paving the way for Sudanese cotton to regain its leading position in global markets over the next five years.BH/BH