Media Platform in Northern State on the Winter Season

The periodic media platform of the Supreme Council for Culture and Media in the Northern State hosted on Tuesday in Dongola the Director General of the Ministry of Production and Economic Resources, Engineer Osman Ahmed Osman, the Director of the Agricultural Bank for the Northern Sector, Mr. Omar Ahmed, the Director of Dongola Research Station, Dr. Al-Mu'ez Lideen Allah Muhammad Fadl, and the Director of the Dongola Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, agricultural engineer, and field expert Issam al-Din Idris, along with the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Culture and Media, Mr. Al-Baqir Akasha Osman, and several other council departments and the Director General of the Radio and Television Authority in the state, Mr. Naji Farouk.

During the media platform, the Director General of the Ministry of Production and Economic Resources reviewed the ministry's preparations and efforts to ensure the success of the 2024-2025 winter agricultural season, which is considered an exceptional season due to the current circumstances, hence it is referred to as the "First Season of Dignity." He emphasized that the state relies heavily on the current winter season to provide national food security from various crops, especially the strategic wheat crop, given that several areas of wheat cultivation have exited the production process due to war conditions. He pointed to a focus on secure states for the expansion of wheat cultivation and achieving self-sufficiency.

He added that the Northern State contributes approximately 750,000 tons of wheat production to the national food security project. The Director General of Production stated that the total targeted area for winter crops is 520,000 feddans, including 205,700 feddans for wheat, more than 74,000 feddans for fava beans, and significant areas for spice, vegetable, and fodder crops. He affirmed the ministry's commitment to increasing production and productivity through horizontal and vertical expansion of all crops by focusing on agricultural research, technology transfer, and extension services.

According to him, his recent visit to Port Sudan has yielded positive results that will contribute significantly towards the success of the current winter season and the development of the agricultural sector in the state. Furthermore, the Director of Northern Sector Agricultural Bank explained the bank's funding policy for the 2024-2025 winter farming season and confirmed the commencement of funding for all farmers and the availability of inputs.

Media Platform in Northern State on the Winter Season

In this regard, he urged the state's farmers to engage with the agricultural bank branches spread across the state’s localities to take advantage of the available financing opportunities, especially for wheat, to contribute to the national food security project and to expand the cultivated areas and increase production and productivity.

Moreover, the Director of Dongola Research Station stated that the Northern State contributes 40% of the targeted area for wheat cultivation in secure states, following the exit of several renowned and leading areas for wheat cultivation from the production circle due to the current conditions. He confirmed the focus on agricultural research to increase production and productivity and expand both horizontally and vertically in agricultural crops. He called on farmers to adopt modern technologies at all stages of the agricultural process.

For his part, the Director of the Dongola Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations affirmed continued cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Production and Economic Resources and stakeholders in the production process to improve crop production, rehabilitate irrigation units and channels, and provide production inputs. He reviewed the organization's activities and interventions in agricultural work and livestock.

The Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Culture and Media explained in his speech at the media platform that the council periodically conducts media platforms to discuss all issues of concern to the citizens of the state and find appropriate solutions with officials, stressing the importance of uniting official and popular efforts to ensure the success of the current winter season and the expansion of wheat, fava beans and other winter crops. Whereas, the Director General of the Northern State Radio and Television Authority reiterated the readiness of the authority to continue providing support to the Ministry of Production and Economic Resources and its partners for a successful winter season with high productivity.

He announced the launch of a farmers' radio to serve farmers and promote the agricultural sector in the Northern State.