Land and Water Research Program:

Land and water form the most important natural endowments for the Sudan where arable lands exceed 200 million feddans, the utilized part of which is only about 30 million. The major land problems in the Sudan are the deterioration resulting from desert creep, water and wind erosion, sodicity and loss of fertility.  These factors, among others, led to the observed decline in agricultural productivity prevailing in the main rain-fed and irrigated areas. Due to the very expensive and tedious land reclamation practices, it becomes necessary to develop knowledge on soil classification and soil characteristics for a sustainable use of this resource.  It is also imperative to protect this important resource through the development of suitable technologies such as land preparation, irrigation and fertilizer use to boost agricultural production.

Currently, the Sudan utilizes about 80% of its share of the Nile waters.  Planned heightening of the Roseiris Dam will lead to full utilization of Sudan’s water share.  Such a situation requires more efficient use of irrigation water as a requisite for future agricultural expansion.  Moreover, rainwater, estimated at 1000 billion cubic meters per year, has not yet been adequately used while huge reserves of underground water remain to be explored and utilized.  Efficient use of these available water resources requires the development of appropriate irrigation technologies and information on efficient irrigation methods, determination of crop water requirements, irrigation intervals and water harvesting techniques.

Desertification and Arid Lands Research Program:

Part of land and water research program. Desertification, probably the most important environmental problem facing Sudan, reflects negatively on economic and social activities of the population.  It affects about half of the 26 Sudanese States at varying degrees.  Desertification is a result of a host of factors the most important being excessive human and livestock pressure on limited natural resources and the recurrent drought cycles, especially during the last three decades.  It is a major factor leading to declining agricultural production and loss of fertile agricultural lands, resulting in rural-urban migration. This program aims at establishing models for combating desertification and facilitating increased utilization of degraded lands to halt and then reverse rural-urban migration.  It also investigates in the socioeconomic impacts of desertification.

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