Egypt Plans to Cultivate One Million Feddans in Sudan Within Three Years

Egypt is set to begin a major agricultural initiative in northern Sudan, aiming to cultivate up to one million feddans of strategic crops over the next three years, provided the country’s political situation stabilizes. 

The project, which will kick off in 2026, includes planting wheat, corn, soybeans, and rice, taking advantage of Sudan’s vast fertile lands and abundant water resources.

A senior Egyptian official, speaking exclusively to Bloomberg, confirmed that the first phase of the project would see the cultivation of 250,000 feddans in 2026. 

The official, who asked to remain anonymous, added that the Egyptian government is actively engaging with private sector investors interested in working in Sudan, while Sudanese authorities are tasked with providing the necessary land for cultivation.

The announcement comes following a meeting in mid-October between Egyptian Minister of Agriculture and his Sudanese counterpart, where both parties discussed ways to strengthen agricultural cooperation. 

As part of the agreement, Egypt has also pledged to increase fertilizer exports to Sudan, with a target of 200,000 to 250,000 tons, as well as providing large quantities of wheat and corn seeds.

Sudan, long known as the "breadbasket" of the Arab world due to its fertile soil, faces significant challenges, including underinvestment, inadequate infrastructure, and ongoing political instability. 

The country has been embroiled in a prolonged conflict between the military and paramilitary forces for more than two years, which has hindered its development and agricultural productivity.

Despite these challenges, Sudan has attracted agricultural investments from several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as part of efforts to bolster food security. Egypt’s expanding agricultural footprint in Africa is seen as a crucial move, not only to meet domestic food needs but also to help stabilize the region’s agricultural economy.

Africa is home to approximately 900 million hectares of arable land, of which only 50% is currently utilized, despite abundant water resources. Egyptian officials have pointed out that infrastructure gaps have historically limited agricultural development. 

Egypt itself has seven farms across the African continent in partnership with the private sector, averaging around 200 hectares per farm.

This ambitious project in Sudan is part of Egypt’s broader strategy to capitalize on the underutilized agricultural potential in Africa, an effort that aligns with both national and regional food security objectives.