Satellite imagery reveals how Sudan’s war scorched its ‘breadbasket’
Summary
Satellite images show large damage to Sudan’s main farming areas caused by fighting between two military groups, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The war severely hurt agriculture, especially in Gezira state, which supplies much of Sudan’s wheat, causing food shortages and economic problems for farmers.Key Facts
- Sudan has been in a civil war since April 2023 between the RSF and the SAF.
- The fighting started in Khartoum and spread to key farming regions like Gezira, Sennar, and Khartoum states.
- Satellite data reveals a sharp decline in vegetation and farmland health in these areas.
- The Gezira Scheme is a large irrigation project covering about 924,000 hectares, historically providing half of Sudan’s wheat.
- After RSF took control of Gezira’s capital, Wad Madani, in December 2023, infrastructure was damaged and agriculture collapsed.
- Wheat production dropped by 58% in the 2023-2024 season due to war-related damage, not climate issues.
- RSF fighters damaged irrigation canals, flooded farmland, looted markets and seed banks, and drained food aid warehouses.
- The cost of farming supplies like fertilizer and tractor rentals rose sharply, hurting farmers’ livelihoods.
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