No abstract

No abstract

An agricultural sector model is developed for Sudan to study the impact of different policy interventions on enhancing agricultural productivity and efficient water use for irrigation. The model considers three farming systems (irrigation, mechanized and traditional rainfed systems). The country is divided into five geographic regions (central, eastern, northern, Kordofan and Darfur regions). The input to the model consists of six key agricultural inputs: land, water, labour, machinery, seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. The model is designed to optimize the production activities for 10 major crops that include cotton, wheat, sorghum, millet, groundnut, sesame, sugar cane, banana, beans and dates. The General Algebraic Modelling System (GAMS) optimization engine is used to optimize the allocation of resources with the objective of maximizing the net economic returns from agricultural production activities. The model is calibrated using long-term average historical records for the period 1970-2018. The results showed good model prediction capability in meeting the domestic demand and in explaining the key variables that influence the farming activities across the regions.

No abstract

<p><strong>Overview of Sudan Groundwater Resources Under Challenged Political Conditions</strong></p><p>The presentation highlights the status quo of groundwater as a valuable yet undermanaged resource in Sudan. The political instability following public protests by the end of 2018 and the following deposition of a thirty-years governing regime affected the Sudanese national focus in different aspects. Regionally, the continued dispute over the River Nile water allocation and agreements, especially while Sudan being in a middle position between two countries Egypt and Ethiopia, with regards to the construction of The Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has put another focus of perspective over the River Nile as a vital water resource, leaving lesser attention in terms of exerted efforts towards agreement on transboundary groundwater aquifers, such as the Nubian aquifer or the unique instance of AL-Gash aquifer. As a third angle, the presentation would highlight the impact of international support and intervention over the aforementioned context as well as the need to support Sudan considering its struggling economy. The conclusion would underpin main points of interest for enriching dialogue and discussion towards sustainable utilisation of groundwater resources in Sudan and its overall strategy for water resources management.</p><p>Keywords: Sudan, Groundwater, Policy, Water Resources, Management</p>