Egypt Plans to Cultivate One Million Feddans with Strategic Crops in Sudan

Egypt is planning to cultivate up to one million feddans of agricultural land in northern Sudan over the next three years, taking advantage of the country’s vast fertile lands and abundant water resources—provided that Sudan’s security situation improves and stabilizes—according to a senior Egyptian government official who spoke to Al-Sharq.

The official, who requested anonymity, stated that the first phase of the project will begin next year, covering an area of 250,000 feddans. The targeted crops include wheat, maize, soybeans, and rice.

He added that the agreement was reached during a meeting between the Egyptian Minister of Agriculture and his Sudanese counterpart in mid-October, where the two sides discussed ways to enhance agricultural cooperation. Under the plan, Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture will mobilize private-sector companies and investors interested in operating in Sudan, while the Sudanese government will allocate the necessary land for cultivation.

The Sudanese minister, according to the official, requested an increase in Egyptian fertilizer exports to Sudan to between 200,000 and 250,000 tons, in addition to importing large quantities of wheat and maize seeds.

Africa possesses about 900 million hectares of arable land, of which only around 50% is currently utilized despite the availability of water resources, due to challenges related to agricultural infrastructure, the official noted. He added that Egypt already operates seven farms in various African countries through public-private partnerships, with each farm averaging about 200 hectares (one hectare equals roughly 2.4 feddans).

Historically known as the “breadbasket of the Arab world,” Sudan enjoys vast tracts of arable land, ample water supplies, and favorable climatic conditions. However, it continues to suffer from structural challenges, including limited investment, weak infrastructure, and ongoing political instability, as the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF militia has persisted for more than two years.

Sudan has already attracted agricultural investments from several Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as part of broader regional efforts to strengthen food security.