Agricultural disruption
Agricultural disruption encompasses the challenges and transformative changes currently reshaping the agricultural sector. These disruptions stem from a complex interplay of environmental, economic, and technological factors. Major issues such as climate change are significantly impacting crop yields and global food security, while soil degradation and water pollution from intensive farming practices are raising alarms among environmentalists and agriculturalists alike. In response, innovative approaches like precision agriculture leverage advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT), to enhance productivity and sustainability. As the agricultural landscape evolves, vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) are emerging as viable solutions that allow for year-round crop production in urban settings. These methods utilize innovative farming systems that optimize resource usage, reducing land and water consumption while overcoming geographical limitations. The integration of agricultural technology — from drones monitoring fields to automated systems for irrigation and pest control — is democratizing access to advanced farming practices, enabling farmers to adapt effectively to disruptions. In light of these advancements, the role of sustainable practices in agriculture cannot be overstated. Regenerative agriculture and eco-friendly farming techniques are becoming essential as stakeholders seek to address the economic pressures of rising production costs and declining incomes. By fostering biodiversity and improving soil health, these practices help mitigate the long-term impacts of agricultural disruption, ensuring a resilient and productive food supply for a growing global population.
How has Sudan's sugar trade evolved over time?
Sudan has long been importing sugar from countries like Brazil and Cuba, even when its local factories were operational. However, in recent years, the country's strategy shifted significantly. Sudan began trading its raw sugar for larger quantities of refined white sugar from countries like India and other nations. This trade evolution represents a fundamental shift in priorities, essentially exchanging quality for quantity. The change reflects Sudan's adaptation to economic pressures and shifting market dynamics amid ongoing conflict and instability that has affected local production capabilities.
Watch clip answer (00:21m)
Al Jazeera English
01:54 - 02:15
What is the estimated cost of damage to Sudan's sugar industry due to the conflict?
The devastation to Sudan's sugar industry is extremely extensive, with an estimated cost of at least $350 million in damages. Sudan has six sugar factories with a combined production capacity of nearly half a million tons per year, but these facilities have been severely impacted by the conflict. Even before the current violence, decades of political turmoil, economic mismanagement, and US sanctions had already taken their toll on the factories and turned farms into wastelands. A committee has been established to develop a plan for addressing this crisis in a sector vital to Sudan's economy and culture.
Watch clip answer (00:28m)Al Jazeera English
00:56 - 01:24
How has the current conflict in Sudan affected the sugar industry?
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has severely disrupted the sugar industry, leaving 'a bitter taste in many mouths' as described in the report. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have seized control of multiple sugar factories, including a significant facility near the city of Sennaard. This military takeover of production facilities represents a major blow to Sudan's sugar supply chain and local economy. These developments are especially devastating for farming communities that rely on these factories for their livelihoods, compounding challenges in a country that was already struggling with sugar self-sufficiency and dependent on imports even before the conflict intensified.
Watch clip answer (00:12m)Al Jazeera English
00:40 - 00:53
What is Tamiz's daily coffee ritual?
Tamiz has a daily afternoon ritual where he stops at Mosdelife's open-air cafe on his way back from work. His beverage of choice is distinctive: black coffee sweetened with three large spoons of sugar, a preparation he considers essential to his enjoyment. This ritual is more than just a coffee break—it represents a moment of consistency and pleasure in Tamiz's daily routine. He is adamant about his preference, stating he cannot imagine drinking coffee any other way, highlighting how personal taste and cultural habits shape even the simplest daily practices.
Watch clip answer (00:19m)Al Jazeera English
00:00 - 00:19
What is the current state of Sudan's sugar industry and what factors have contributed to its decline?
Sudan's sugar industry has suffered extensive devastation, estimated to cost at least $350 million to repair. While the country has six sugar factories with a combined production capacity of nearly half a million tons annually, most are no longer operational due to severe damage from recent conflicts. Decades of political turmoil, economic mismanagement, and US sanctions have progressively weakened the industry, transforming productive farms into wastelands. These long-term challenges, compounded by recent conflicts, have critically undermined Sudan's domestic sugar production capabilities, threatening the country's agricultural self-sufficiency and affecting farmers' livelihoods.
Watch clip answer (00:24m)
Al Jazeera English
00:56 - 01:20
How has the conflict in Sudan impacted the country's sugar production and consumption?
The current conflict in Sudan has severely disrupted sugar production, with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces taking control of key sugar factories, including one near Sennaard city. This has created significant challenges for a population with a strong cultural connection to sugar consumption, as most Sudanese insist on using abundant sugar in their tea and coffee. Local businesses report that customers consume up to 3kg of sugar daily, highlighting the importance of this commodity in Sudanese culture. As one local states, 'I'm used to it like this since I was a child,' demonstrating how deeply ingrained sugar consumption is in daily life. However, the ongoing conflict has 'left a bitter taste in many mouths' as production facilities have been compromised by the fighting.
Watch clip answer (00:37m)Al Jazeera English
00:16 - 00:53