Sudan's farmers are grappling with several obstacles to wheat production, with power outages, damaged infrastructure, and conflict-related destruction intensifying amid clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
For two decades, Siddig Ahmed has cultivated wheat in Northern State, but he says that persistent power shortages are now making irrigation an arduous challenge.
"We privately imported the seeds and fertilizers, but our crops are now thirsty because of the power shortages following the attacks by the RSF. We lost our fava bean crop and now wheat is under threat if the power shortage persists. This is a real crisis," said Ahmed.
In 2024, a joint initiative between the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) led to a 70 percent increase in wheat production across five Sudanese states.
However, continued fighting threatens to reverse these gains, raising concerns about a sharp decline in production.
At the same time, Sudan faces an intensifying hunger crisis, exacerbated by the conflict-related destruction of agricultural infrastructure and the mass displacement of workers.
The country remains on the brink of an unprecedented hunger catastrophe, with estimates suggesting over five million people are at risk of extreme food insecurity.
Farmers in Sudan struggle to sustain wheat production amid ongoing conflict
Farmers in Sudan struggle to sustain wheat production amid ongoing conflict
Farmers in Sudan struggle to sustain wheat production amid ongoing conflict
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
