October 4, 2024 (GEDAREF) - Farmers in Sudan's eastern Gedaref state have begun harvesting sesame from 1.2 million acres, but the season is being hampered by labour shortages and inflated packaging costs, officials said. Gedaref, a key agricultural region, has seen a surge in cultivation this year, with 9.5 million acres planted in various crops. This record figure is attributed to an influx of farmers displaced by conflict in other parts of Sudan. However, Ahmed Babiker Shola, a member of the Gedaref farmers' committee, told Sudan Tribune that the closure of the Gallabat border crossing with Ethiopia due to clashes between the Ethiopian military and Fano militias has cut off the supply of seasonal workers. 'The sesame harvest, which promises a substantial yield, faces complexities and obstacles,' Shola said. He urged the government to intervene by ensuring banks finance harvesting operations and provide necessary materials like sacks and machinery. Last season, Gedaref produced 2 million sacks of sesame from 650,000 acres, with prices reaching 98,000 Sudanese pounds ($160) per quintal (100 pounds). Shola warned of 'suspicious trading practices' emerging in local markets, with traders exploiting the situation by hoarding sacks and inflating prices. He said the cost of a bale …
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