ِWad Madani – Al-Jazirah State
The Cooperative Insurance Company held a specialized workshop at the Health Insurance Hall in Al-Jazirah State, titled: "The Irrigated Agricultural Sector Facing Challenges: Insurance Solutions as a Pillar for Food Security." The event saw the participation of various officials, experts, and specialists in the fields of agriculture, insurance, and banking finance, alongside representatives from relevant institutions.                                                                                 The workshop proceedings began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a documentary film about the Cooperative Insurance Company. This was succeeded by an address from the company’s Chairman of the Board, a promotional video for the firm, remarks from the Deputy General Manager of the Agricultural Bank of Sudan, and a visual presentation titled "From Seed to Harvest."
The event also featured addresses by a representative for the Governor of the Gezira Scheme, as well as Dr. Arafa Mahmoud, Minister of Agriculture for Gezira State. Four Scientific Papers Address Challenges in the Agricultural Sector
Following the opening session, the workshop proceeded with the presentation and discussion of four scientific papers, which explored various issues related to the agricultural sector and potential insurance-based solutions. The papers were as follows:
First Paper: Financing the Winter Agricultural Season
Presented by a representative of the Agricultural Bank of Sudan, with the session chaired by the Director of the Ministry of Finance in Gezira State; the discussion was initiated by the Director of the Investment Department of Gezira State.
Second Paper: Risks and Threats to the Agricultural Sector
Presented by the Director of the Planning Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, with the session chaired by a representative of the Gezira Scheme administration; the discussion was initiated by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Gezira.
Third Paper: Integrated Insurance Services for Agricultural Projects
Presented by the Agricultural Insurance Department of the Cooperative Insurance Company, with the session chaired by a representative of the Ministry of Agriculture; the discussion was initiated by the Director of the Development Department at the Ministry of Finance.
Fourth Paper: Agricultural Insurance and Its Impact on the Sudanese Economy
Presented by Dr. Tariq Al-Nour Huda Hassan, Secretary-General of the National Insurance Supervisory Authority, with the session chaired by Dr. Al-Tijani Al-Nour, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Gezira; the discussion was initiated by Dr. Kamal Jad Karim, General Manager of the Cooperative Insurance Company.
The workshop sessions featured scholarly discussions on the themes addressed in the papers, culminating in a set of recommendations. These recommendations are expected to contribute to the development of agricultural insurance services, strengthen risk management within the agricultural sector, and support efforts toward achieving food security.
Official Attendance and Broad Participation                                                                                                                                  The workshop was graced by Dr. Arafa Mahmoud, Minister of Agriculture in Gezira State, representing the governor of the state, Mr. Yasser Khader Nassar, Minister of Social Welfare, and Mr. Tariq Abdel Rahman, Minister of Youth and Sports in Gezira State, along with the Director of the Traffic Department in the state, the Deputy Director of Gezira University, and a number of departments of the Cooperative Insurance Company.
The workshop also witnessed wide participation from representatives of banks and insurance companies, specialists in the fields of agriculture and insurance, and a number of personalities and those interested in agricultural affairs.
This workshop comes within the framework of interest in enhancing integration between the agricultural sector and financing and insurance institutions, and expanding the benefit of insurance solutions in the face of risks and challenges facing agricultural production, in a way that supports the stability of the irrigated sector and contributes to enhancing food security and the national economy.