The University of California and El Hawad Growth Corridor Project today signed an MOU. The agreement was signed by the CEO of El Hawad Project, Dr. Mohamed A. Elmannan, and the Vice Provost and Dean, Global Affairs, Dr. Joanna Regulska, signed on behalf of the Regents of the University of California. The aim of the agreement is to develop cooperation in technical, scientific and research skills and expertise to help establish agricultural development systems for El Hawad Project. The primary objective is to create durable, innovative solutions to improve adaptive and resilient farming and food production systems in terms of productivity, quality and efficiency for this 5-million-acre project – the largest mega project of its kind in Sudan,traversing five states .
It is planned that a team of scientists from the University of California will work with their Sudanese counterparts to create sustainable solutions and programs to develop agricultural, animal and horticultural production systems, including natural pastures, ranching, micro-irrigation systems, agro-processing industries, seed production, and establishment of R&D platforms.
It is hoped that implementation of this agreement would support the government’s efforts to attain transformation of agriculture in the country.
El Hawad was among the priority projects presented by the government at the Paris Conference on May 17, 2021, to support the Sudan’s historic transition towards democracy. Organized by French President Emmanuel Macron, the conference aimed at marking the full reintegration of the country within the international community and encouraging investments.
It is noteworthy that the University of California, which ranks No. 1 in the US in veterinary and agricultural sciences played a considerable role in the creation of agricultural development systems in California which has become the leading American state in agricultural transformation. The economy of the State of California, the largest in the United States, boasts ranking as the world’s fifth largest economy, ahead of India and behind Germany.
