Wheat Economics and Future Policy Options in Sudan

Abstract

In Sudan, wheat is considered as one of the main strategic crops beside sorghum and millet. It contributes to rural and urban livelihoods and food security. The gap between the production and consumption of wheat is still large and exceeds 100% of the total production, which leads to the burden of the high import bill. This research deals with some important macro and micro economic aspects that aim to support opportunities for expansion of wheat production in Sudan within the framework of its competition in the cropping structure. While the analysis of its content benefited from the available secondary data and information in relation to the subject, it was largely based on a field survey conducted in the year 2021 targeting the main three States of wheat production in the country namely, Gezira, Northern and River Nile States. The sample size and data collection are fully representing the different agricultural systems was determined by using the multi-stage stratified sample technique. The survey consists of a questionnaire directed to samples of wheat growers in the selected areas. The study also looks to draw the relevant policy options for increasing wheat production, trade and development. Moreover, it applies scientific research methods to achieve its aims. Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) was used to analyze the effects of government policies, competitiveness and comparative advantage on the wheat production. Descriptive statistics also used to illustrate the potential and feasibility of the crop. Finally, the study concluded that wheat import bill constitutes a huge burden, which requires providing support for wheat expansion by raising wheat productivity to the highest levels through advance technologies utilization, providing wheat subsidies for storage to benefit from the high prices after harvest, which raises the profitability of wheat to compete with the profitability of other crops and supporting prices of inputs at wheat production areas.