Sudan : Govt support for cotton sector, essential

During the current season area under cotton cultivation has reached 310,000 feddans. Reportedly, agricultural research corporation has approved farming of 9 new types of cotton crop in an attempt to improve quality of production.
Experts believe that this is a good move by the corporation. However, they say the cotton growers’ chief focus is the rain fed cultivation since it is cheaper.
The implementation of Gezira, Rahad, White Nile, Blue Nile and Toker schemes required an investment of around 74 million Sudanese pounds
Finance Ministry decided to allocate 50 million Sudanese pounds to cotton industry, which is definitely not enough. External funds for an average company amounted to US $640
Infact, over 75 percent of income of cotton company comes from other investment projects.
Thus, analysts urged the Government to understand the problems of the industry and draft beneficial policies, especially since cotton is one of the major contributors to Sudan’s economy.