Sudan: Cereal production down by over 40 percent, likely exacerbating hunger
The conflict in Sudan has severely impacted cereal production, with an estimated output of 4.1 million tonnes in 2023. This is a significant decrease from the previous year and 40% below the average of the previous five years. Nearly 18 million people in Sudan are facing acute food insecurity at IPC 3 level or above, with almost 5 million in IPC Phase 4 and potentially falling into catastrophic food insecurity in the coming months. Areas with the most affected populations include the Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan regions and Khartoum State. FAO's response focuses on providing seeds and equipment for local staple cereal cultivation and keeping animals alive through emergency veterinary services and access to water and fodder. Animal health support is crucial as the livestock sector provides over 60% of the estimated value added to the agricultural sector. If state veterinary services are not supported, significant livestock losses are expected, and inadequate consumption of animal-sourced food could drive an increase in malnutrition rates among children in vulnerable states. The FAO's Emergency Plan in Sudan for 2024 is budgeted at $104 million, but is currently less than 10% funded. FAO has reached one million farming households or five million farmers with time-critical seed support between July and September 2023, delivering nearly 10,000 tonnes of seeds in time for the critical planting season.
