Port Sudan – Saturday, August 2, 2025
News – Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC)
The Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC), represented by Acting Director General Professor Ahmed Hassan Abu Assar and Director of the Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Research Center, Dr. Ali Zakaria Babiker, participated in a national consultative workshop organized by the Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources on Saturday, August 2, 2025, in Port Sudan.
The workshop was held at the Council of Ministers Hall in the Government Complex in Salalab, under the theme:
“Formulating and Implementing a Recovery Plan for the Plant Genetic Resources Bank for Agricultural Crops Affected by War”
The event brought together key stakeholders from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as well as various national and international institutions and organizations concerned with agriculture and environmental sustainability.
In her address, Dr. Muna Ali Mohamed Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Higher Council for Environment, emphasized that the main objective of the workshop was to unify national and international efforts to develop a scientific and practical recovery plan for the gene bank, and to mobilize the necessary support to sustain its role as a cornerstone of food security in Sudan.
During his presentation, Professor Ahmed Hassan Abu Assar outlined the extent of the damage sustained by the Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Research Center in Wad Medani due to the conflict. He noted that approximately 70% of the genetic materials were successfully relocated to an alternative site but highlighted the pressing need for specialized refrigeration equipment and additional technical support to ensure their long-term preservation.
For his part, Mr. Kennedy, representative of FAO, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting agricultural initiatives in Sudan, particularly those focused on the conservation of genetic resources and enhancement of food security.
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