Sudan: from a food basket to a pesticide sink

Abstract Background Sudan, a country once referred to as ‘a food basket', had an agricultural sector employing 53% of the workforce (21.8% of the GDP) in 2019. However, intensive agricultural schemes and excessive use of pesticides have plagued this sector since colonial times, resulting in negative environmental health impacts. We analyzed relevant policies to identify deficiencies and improvement opportunities. Methods The National Pesticides and Pest Control Products Act (NPPCPA 1994), Environmental Health Act (EHA 2009), and the National Occupational Health Act (NOHA 1966) were analyzed. Results The laws governing pesticide handling and use are outdated. The NPPCPA (1994) does not capture recent regulations specified in international conventions. The EHA (2009) regulates the storage of vector-control pesticides, without referring to agricultural pesticides. NOHA was promulgated in 1966, yet the occupational health (OH) functions were formalized within the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) in 1968. The OH unit and functions in FMOH were fully dismantled in 1993-1994 and NOHA clauses were reduced to an administrative section in the 1997 Federal Labor Act with no specific mention of pesticide exposure. The NPPCPA 1994 act stipulates the development of a multi-stakeholder national committee, yet it works in a fragmented manner and conducts pesticide analysis on an ad hoc basis. The lack of a national agricultural policy for the safe use of pesticides, and the absence of an oversight agency to monitor, inspect, and enforce safety measures, have led to unsafe exposures and high residues in crops. Conclusions Laws and policies governing pesticide use are outdated and deficient in Sudan. They fail to regulate the use of pesticides and protect workers and consumers. Evidence-based and context-specific policies and regulations are needed. A successful implementation of regulations requires revisiting governance structures, in tandem with widescale capacity-building efforts. Key messages • Sudan’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, yet the laws governing this sector are outdated and deficient. • There is a need for a national agricultural policy for the safe handling and use of pesticides.