A United Nations food agency is appealing for $40 million to help Sudanese farmers, fishermen and cattle producers.
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization says support for Sudan's agricultural sector is crucial for ensuring lasting peace in the war-torn African nation.
It says the country's humanitarian needs "remain immense" despite last year's peace accord that ended more than 20 years of civil war in southern Sudan.
The FAO says conflict in the Darfur region, the risk of a poor harvest and the return of 680,000 displaced Sudanese make international relief a necessity.
The agency plans to use the funds raised to provide seeds and tools, fishing equipment and livestock medicine. It says some 87 percent of the people of Sudan depend on agriculture for their food security and livelihoods.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.