Sudan: Conflict and drought drive feed costs and threaten poultry and livestock farms

Sudan’s ongoing armed conflict, now in its third year, has wreaked havoc on agriculture, resulting in contaminated pastures and escalating feed costs, which threaten the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.

Recent reports from Independent Arabia highlight the severe strain on livestock due to diminishing suitable grazing land, causing feed prices to reach unprecedented levels. Entire agricultural regions in Darfur, Kordofan, and the Blue Nile have experienced significant livestock mortality due to thirst and hunger.

Water Scarcity

This year has seen a dramatic worsening of the crisis, fueled by severe drought conditions that have depleted drinking water supplies in key agricultural areas. “Breeders are resorting to hiring tankers to transport water from urban centers to their grazing lands, while flocks of sheep and goats continue to perish,” lamented Omar Al-Mahi, a cattle herder from South Darfur. “Farm owners are unable to resolve the crisis on their own.”

Disruption in Feed Market Supply

The armed conflict has also disrupted the feed supply chain, complicating the situation for farmers. “Feed availability has significantly decreased, making matters extremely challenging for us. High prices are affecting all aspects of our operations. With exports halted and market activities at a standstill, the savings of breeders and farm owners are depleting fast,” explained Idris Abdeen, a livestock owner in the Blue Nile region.

Impact on the Humanitarian Crisis

Farmers express concern that the deteriorating state of the livestock sector is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan due to the ongoing civil unrest. UN experts have warned that the situation is leading to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, with famine conditions escalating amid the conflict. Currently, approximately 24.6 million people—nearly half of Sudan’s population—are experiencing acute food insecurity, with alarming figures showing that 638,000 individuals face catastrophic hunger, marking a record high according to UN estimates.