The Republic of the Sudan is located mostly in the Sahel in northeastern Africa. It is the largest country in Africa and in the Arab World, by area. Sudan's modern history has been plagued by civil wars stemming from ethnic, religious and economic conflict. Sudan is (as of 2009) ranked as the third most politically unstable country in the world according to the Failed States Index. Sudan agriculture forms a significant sector of the national GDP, engaging nearly 80% of the total workforce. Cultivation of crops such as cotton, groundnuts (peanuts), sorghum, millet, wheat, sugarcane and cassava (tapioca), besides fruits like mango, papaya and bananas comprise the major agricultural activities.

The earliest efforts in plant breeding were started at the beginning of the 20th century when the British launched their project of growing cotton in Sudan. At present there is an active breeding programme for all the major crops in Sudan carried out by both public and private institutes.

Serious improvement work in crops other than cotton started in the second half of the 20th century and it is sustained for crops like sorghum, maize, millet, sesame and groundnut. However, the intensity of work varies from one crop to the other and fluctuates in time depending on available funds and personnel. Most of the breeding activities were directed toward development of varieties to the irrigated sector of agriculture in the country.

The available capacities in plant breeding are not efficiently used in Sudan because of lack of funds. Funds should be provided to the Agricultural Research Corporation and the Universities to make use of the qualified staff in these institutes. An intensification of training in plant breeding and biotechnology at the post graduate level is also necessary.

Research and education institutes with activities in plant breeding

Public Institutes

	Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC) Website available in English or Arabic ARC is the oldest government organization with the main objective of developing improved technologies that can promote and enhance agricultural production in the country. These technologies include variety improvement. The ARC has an active breeding program in all the crops mentioned above.
	University of Khartoum Website available in English and Arabic The main responsibility of the University of Khartoum is the teaching, but it also has eight breeders. Plant breeding is getting about 1% of the total funds of the university. Plant breeding research is confined mainly to germplasm enhancement. The follow-up of the process, i.e. line development and line evaluation with the objective of releasing improved varieties, is rarely done.
	University of Gezira Website available in Arabic The main responsibility of the University of Gezira is teaching bit it also has 5 breeders. Plant breeding is getting about 1% of the total funds of the university. Plant breeding research is confined mainly to germplasm enhancement. The follow-up of the process, i.e. line development and line evaluation with the objective of releasing improved varieties, is rarely done.
	Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST) Website available in English and Arabic In 1990 the Khartoum Ploytechnique (KP) was upgraded to a university named Sudan University of Science and Technology, with all the Institutes changed to Colleges. SUST has one plant breeder.

Private Institutes

Arab Sudanese Seed Company (ASSC) Website available in English or Arabic Established in 1997, the Arab Sudanese seed company belongs to the private sector. It currently has two plant breeders which are concerned with the development of varieties and hybrids with emphasis on sorghum and some vegetables. This company also introduces tests and releases crop hybrids (mainly sunflower, maize, forage, sorghum, millet and some vegetables) with a view of producing seed of successful hybrids. In addition, the unit provides technical advice on matters of production and participates in activities aimed at the promotion of the seed industry in the country.

Kenana Sugar Company (KSC) Website available in English or Arabic The breeding program in this company is highly developed and includes all aspects of plant breeding and some biotechnology. The breeding work is confined to sugar cane only. As of 2005 here were two breeders in this company.

 ______________________________________

 Information by Abdalla Elahmadi (2005).- Information based on the Sudan's full report from the PBBC survey. Last revised 22-06-2010, GIPB.