FAO launches major vegetable seed distribution campaign to support Sudan’s winter planting season
Critical initiative to restore local food production, rebuild livelihoods and support recovery
Two farmers from White Nile State proudly display their freshly harvested tomatoes, cultivated during the 2023 winter planting season.
©FAO/Eilaf Abdelbasit
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a large-scale seed distribution campaign to support the 2025 winter planting season and address the country’s deteriorating food security and nutrition situation.
According to the latest analysis of food insecurity and malnutrition in Sudan, more than 21 million people in Sudan are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity as of September 2025. In addition, 3.7 million children under five and pregnant and lactating women urgently need treatment for acute malnutrition.
Launched in November in Khartoum, one of the conflict's most affected areas and a key vegetable-producing region, the campaign is now expanding across Sudan and will continue through January. Through this initiative FAO aims to reach 134 000 vulnerable farming households, or 670 000 people, across ten states, including Al Jazirah, Blue Nile, Gedaref, Kassala, Khartoum, Northern State, Red Sea, River Nile, Sennar and White Nile states.
Targeted households will receive diverse kits of vegetable seeds (eggplant, green pepper, jute mallow, okra, onion, pumpkin, rocket, snake cucumber, tomato and zucchini) helping families produce food quickly to improve household nutrition, dietary diversity and income opportunities.
“Restoring local food production is critical for Sudan’s recovery,” said Hongjie Yang, FAO Representative in Sudan. “This campaign ensures that conflict-affected households can resume their farming activities, diversify their diets and rebuild their livelihoods.”
This critical initiative was made possible thanks to the generous support of the European Union (EU), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDA), Norway, Canada, Italy, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Peacebuilding Fund and the Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) in partnership with Education Above All Foundation (EAA).