Food Shortage: Sudan

• Background:

  • 1955 conflict between both Christians and Muslims.
  • 2 civil wars - peace agreement in 2005 - renewed in 2018.
  • South Sudan is landlocked - experiences high precipitation periods.
• Food insecurity:

  • 60% could face food insecurity in coming years.
  • 2019 flooding increases weed, pests, diseases and limits crop production.'
• South Sudan economy:

  • 75% take part in agricultural production.
  • 80% live on farms.
  • Main crops: Sorghum, maize, millet (48% of pop. relies on these).
• Causes: General

  • HIV / AIDS increases death rate.
  • 53/1000 death rate.
  • 58 year old life expectancy.
  • High IMR and high youthful population.
  • More children must be had to maintain agricultural output.
  • Avg. calorie intake is 1300 calories, 400 lower than minimum recommended.
  • High rates of malnutrition, smaller workforce.
• Causes: Natural Disasters

  • Flooding - water sources are poisoned and diseases like cholera are spread through crops.
  • In 2019 amyworm wiped out crops decreasing cereal grain production.
• Causes: Refugee displacement

  • Many refugees displaced due to poorly enforced land laws.
  • Continuous eviction due to military confiscations of land.
  • Reliable access to land plots cannot be guaranteed - makes growing crops difficult.
  • 90% of South Sudan rely of subsistence farming in order to supply food.
• Causes: War and Conflict

  • War has continued since 2013.
  • Cattle are often raided and stolen - interrupts natural grazing patterns.
  • Displacement of refugees leads to overpopulation of areas.
  • Leads to desertification and overgrazing of land.
• Causes: Unreliable transport

  • 5% of roads are easily accessible.
  • Most are dirt tracks which become muddied during winter.
  • Food delivered to urban areas means high delivery cost due to constantly changing tax laws.
  • Urban - rural roads are limited, leads to farmers being unable to transport food.