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El Fasher

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The Darfur region in western Sudan is facing great challenges this year to ensure the arrival of some food and agricultural products associated with the holy month of Ramadan to various regions of the country, as the region suffers from the repercussions of a devastating war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces since last April 15, which resulted in the deaths of thousands. Millions of people were displaced to displacement camps and some neighboring countries.

Agriculture in Darfur depends mainly on rain as a source of irrigation, but agricultural operations witnessed a significant deterioration this year due to the ongoing war, as the conflict led to the displacement and dispersal of the population and the disruption of agricultural activities, which negatively affected production and ensured its access to various parts of the country.

The Darfur region includes 5 states, of which North Darfur is distinguished by the production of two main crops:

They are: millet and mariq, in addition to watermelon and other vegetables, as millet is one of the important crops in the region, and is used as a staple meal in the Sudanese table, and it is an important ingredient in making porridge.

While South Darfur state is famous for growing many traditional and important crops, including peanuts, hibiscus, ardib, dum and baobab, these crops are an important source for making Ramadan juices and are used in many local recipes.

In the states of Central and West Darfur, vegetables and fruits are mainly grown, in addition to lentils, potatoes, and other products.

This year, many families dispensed with various types of Ramadan food and drinks due to the war (Al Jazeera)

Foods that were absent from war

These agricultural crops are an important source of nutrition and meet the needs of the local community in Sudan. They also reflect the diversity of the different states in the Darfur region, being a diverse food culture and a rich agricultural heritage in the region.

With the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, these crops become of special importance as they are used in the preparation of Ramadan meals and traditional juices, which enhance the atmosphere of the holy month in the region. This year, many families have dispensed with various types of Ramadan food and drinks.

Due to the war and the decline in income, in addition to the high rate of poverty in the region.

The region's ability to export this year was greatly damaged by the war, which made it more difficult to supply some areas of Sudan with basic agricultural crops, which are used in preparing people's favorite dishes and foods.

Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, farmer Jamal Dahawi from the city of Nyala in South Darfur said that the war caused the absence of some dishes from Ramadan tables this year.

He pointed out that 95% of farmers in South Darfur state, and the region in particular, no longer work in agricultural production.

Because of the war and the difficult conditions they live in.

Dahawi explained that this had a negative impact on their standard of living, leading to a humanitarian crisis as a result of their inability to cultivate land.

He stressed the need to deliver the necessary humanitarian aid to them, and said that the crisis requires urgent intervention to provide the necessary humanitarian aid and support to alleviate the suffering and improve the living conditions of the population in the region.

The decline in agriculture in North Darfur resulting from the war affected the population’s standard of living (Al Jazeera)

There are other reasons for decline

Al-Sadiq Jumaa Mustafa - a government employee at the Ministry of Agriculture in Darfur - pointed out the decline in the production of millet, peanuts and some crops related to the month of Ramadan in Darfur states this year as a result of war conditions, explaining that there are other reasons that contributed to this decline, including the insufficient distribution of agricultural seeds. On farmers, looting and seizure of agricultural equipment and machinery from unruly groups occurred.

He also pointed out other problems related to transportation and deportation, which led to the agricultural materials produced in Darfur not reaching some other regions of Sudan.

He explained that these problems caused agricultural food supplies related to the month of Ramadan to be affected in many regions.

He stressed the importance of providing the necessary support to farmers and protecting agricultural equipment, in order to enhance agricultural production and meet the needs of the local community in the country.

Being satisfied with the necessities

According to journalist Muhammad Suleiman Hamed, the poor economic conditions contributed greatly to the shortage of a large number of foods that the Sudanese were keen to provide on their tables during the month of Ramadan. In his interview with Al Jazeera Net, he referred to the bitter sweet juice “Abri”, Doum and baobab.

He said that, like many of his compatriots, he decided this year to reduce his usual purchases during Ramadan.

Because he ran out of money, he added, "I settled for buying some basic necessities from a nearby store."

In one of the temporary shelters for displaced people in the city of El Fasher, one of the oldest cities in the Darfur region, which is filled with sadness and pain, Umm Kulthum (displaced from South Darfur state) is preparing some traditional drinks for the holy month of Ramadan this year.

Umm Kulthum, speaking to Al Jazeera Net, feels that these are the most difficult days she has experienced in her life, and says that she cannot prepare the bittersweet drink “Abri” or even the famous baobab and dum in Ramadan.

She added, "We were not able to prepare any Ramadan food for suhoor. Rather, we just drink water, and we hope that peace and stability will be achieved soon."

Source: Al Jazeera