One of the largest nations in Africa, Sudan extends along the course of the Upper Nile, the river which flows across the whole country and which since time immemorial has linked the history of Sudan to that of Egypt and the neighbouring Arabian peninsula, with which it shares a language (Arabic) and a religion, Islam. Sudan is a member of the United Nations and the African Union, but also (because of its close ties to the Muslim world) the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. That is why one northern Sudanese province, the region of Al Ghaba, was chosen for the “North State Project”, an agricultural development project financed by the “Al Rajhi International Group”, a Saudi Arabian holding company which for over 70 years has been supporting similar projects all over the world, aimed at promoting farming to provide food for Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries. The project (linked to other similar ones already up and running along the Nile) involves increasing the production above all of cereal crops and forage, through the creation of a series of infrastructures including canalisation, pumps to draught water from the Nile, and the drilling of deep wells. The plants, which extend for dozens of kilometres, are self-sufficient in terms of energy thanks to photovoltaic systems, and they enable the creation of veritable green “oases” of farmed land amidst the arid, desert-like surroundings. The harvested crops provide food for the Sudanese and Saudi populations, in an exchange that involves the installation, by the Saudis, of advanced infrastructures and technologies, while Sudan provides large parcels of land and labour. The photo shows one of several AgriTech 35.7 models purchased by the project technicians, as it is being used to harvest forage crops for the local population. Agritech is the ideal machine for the job, as it features a “Vario System EVO2” transmission with 4 drive modes (Automotive, Loader, Creeper and ECO) that allow it to tackle the great distances and arid climate of the region. A climate that is tackled also thanks to the cab, a comfortable and safe “work environment” that facilitates long working shifts: in addition to the air conditioning, it also features a joystick integrated in the armrest, soundproofing, a steering wheel adjustable in both height and reach, electric windows, storage compartments, stereo system, sunblind, ergonomic seats, openable roof hatch, high driving position for optimum visibility, high-efficiency windscreen wipers, two independent rearview mirrors, and much more besides. Nothing has been left to chance, to guarantee a safe and supremely comfortable day’s work, even on the plains of Al Ghaba in northern Sudan.