Sowing hope for a better tomorrow through farming in Sudan

By Alejandra Romo Garcia in White Nile, Sudan

In Sudan, years of armed conflict have displaced millions and disrupted food production across vast areas of the country. As farming systems collapse, families struggle to access nutritious food, earn an income, and meet their most basic needs. For many communities affected by displacement and insecurity, growing food has become increasingly difficult - if not impossible.

To help address these challenges, UNHCR and its partners, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, are implementing climate-resilient farming in areas affected by displacement. The initiative provides access to land, tools, seeds, and technical training for 20,000 refugees, internally displaced people and members of the host community. It also includes support with irrigation, group farming, and access to savings and financial services.

The goal is to help communities restore food production, enhance household nutrition, and strengthen livelihoods. Farming activities are tailored to local conditions, and participants receive training in sustainable practices that support long-term recovery.

In White Nile State, where over 370,000 South Sudanese refugees have sought refuge, these efforts are already having an impact in people’s daily life.

Haifa Bakhit, 19, escaped Khartoum with her mother in April 2023 when violence intensified. Now living with extended family in a host community, she is actively participating in the agriculture programme. Haifa joined a group farm supported by the project and quickly became involved in every stage of the growing cycle.

“We left everything. My father stayed behind, and we haven’t heard from him since,” she shares.

Working on the land has given Haifa a renewed sense of purpose. She and her mother contribute to each step of the production process - digging, sowing, weeding, and preparing for the harvest. 

“We have participated in all the farming process, preparing the land, sowing, weeding. When we harvest, we’ll receive a share of the wheat and contribute to a group savings plan,” she says.

Beyond the group farm, Haifa is thinking ahead. She received vegetable seeds through the programme and now hopes to grow food at home - an effort that could improve her family’s nutrition and even generate extra income. 

“We received vegetable seeds to grow them this season and I’m very curious to farm vegetables, it gives me hope, something to look forward to.” 

Haifa’s quiet optimism shows how access to land and tools can open up new possibilities - from daily survival to long-term recovery.

In Khor Al Warel refugee camp, James Abal brings decades of lived experience to the farming initiative. A father of six, he fled South Sudan in 2016 and has lived in the camp ever since. As a child, James lost his arm during ethnic violence. Years later, during forced displacement, he also lost his artificial hand. Arriving at the camp without equipment or support, James feared his days of farming were behind him. 

“When I arrived at the camp, I had nothing, not even the tools. I used to work back home,” he explains. 

The project helped James reconnect with a role he knows well. He joined a group farm and was assigned a responsibility suited to his abilities - guarding the crops from animals. His team welcomed him with trust and kindness.

“They welcomed me into a group farm. Because of my disability, I was assigned to guard the farm from animals, and the group supported me with meals and kindness.” 

He remains an integral part of the team and takes pride in their progress. After months of effort, the wheat fields are nearly ready for harvest. James and his fellow farmers are counting on the yield to feed their families and take the next step in their recovery. 

“We expect 100 sacks of wheat, and each member will get two sacks. That’s enough to feed my family. Next season, we hope to grow vegetables and sell them in the market.”

For James, the farming group is more than a livelihood - it is a source of dignity, purpose, and community. As he looks ahead, his hopes extend far beyond the harvest.

“I hope to get a new artificial hand and more support to keep my children in school. But more than anything, I hope for peace for Sudan, and for our community,” James says. 

Through shared farms and group activities, the project is creating opportunities for displaced families to rebuild their lives. Participants are learning practical skills, strengthening local food systems, and forging connections amongst refugee and host communities.

In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, UNHCR and partners are scaling up these efforts - helping people like James, Haifa, and thousands of others not just survive, but thrive, rebuild, and lead their communities forward.