This document outlines a project to improve water management and agricultural productivity in rainfed areas of Sudan. The project will demonstrate water and soil conservation techniques to farmers through field schools and training. It aims to enhance the skills of extension agents and farmers on practices like irrigation methods, soil conservation, and crop production. Located in four states, the multi-year project expects to benefit thousands of farmers and pastoralists. If successful, it could help increase crop yields, save water, energy and labor, and raise incomes for farmers and households in drought-prone areas of Sudan.

1. Improved Water
Management and control
practices for increasing
agricultural productivity
in rainfed areas.
Increase agricultural production while coping with water scarcity, through field
demonstration of water and soil conservation techniques
Context Specific risks and vulnerabilities : severe periodic drought, water
deficit, desertification, soil degradation, minimal input use, pest and
diseases; and socio-economic consequences of agricultural decline causing
conflicts over dwindling resources. migration, drop out from schools and
dependence on food assistance
Target group: extension agents and small holders farmers and transhumant
pastoralists
The idea: Enhancing technical skills and
capacities of extension agents and farmers
through :
Location : The
Republic of Sudan in
four states i.e. Sinar,
South Kordofan,
Nothern State and
River Nile
Donor :
Technical consultation
with: MoA
Budget:700 000 USD
for 2.5 years for xx
beneficiaries
For more information
contact : Rosanne
Marchesich
FAO Representative a.i. in
Sudan
Rosanne.Marchesich@fao.
org
To get the related good
practice fiche, contact
goodpractices@fao.org
Women: Women-headed households were carefully selected through
village native administration to be trained and have access to
productive means in order to improve their family wellbeing .
field demonstration of water and soil conservation
techniques (Farmer Field School approach)
Training courses on soil and water conservation
practices and irrigation methods
technological package for soil and water
conservation and management of crop production,
including locally selected seeds
Exchange visits
Extension manuals and public awareness campaigns
The problem : Lack of knowledge of harnessing and controlling surface
runoff in support of sustained agricultural production.
-Wastage of resources including land and water (rain, surface and
groundwater);
-low crop yields (0.6 t/ha for sorghum, 0.4 t/ha for millet and cowpea, and
0.3 t/ha for sesame);
-lack of adoption of efficient methods of cultivation and on-farm water
management practices;
-lack of coordination of extension services and technology transfer;
-lack of basic facilities and capacity for extension.
The benefits :
•Crop yields obtained are two to three times higher
than traditional practice. The demonstrated yields
are the highest in all the rainfed areas. Yield
increases in wheat, beans fodder and onions
•Remarkable water, energy, time and labour savings
•Increased farmer income up to 54%

2. Project ‘s
Contribution to
building resilience
WATCH TO SAFEGUARD
x
PREPARE AND RESPOND
TO CRISES
The project is a response to recurrent
drought-related food insecurity crises,
causing poverty and conflict over
scarce resources.
GOVERN RISKS AND CRISES
The project supports the MoA’s
agricultural sector strategy to increase
agricultural productivity
APPLYRISKANDVULNERABILITYREDUCTIONMEASURES
The project reduces vulnerability of both men and women, in the short term with rapid
increase of crops yield and in the medium and long term with the improved technical
capacity of extension and technical staff, as well as communities farmers in irrigation
systems and maintenance
Increase
resilience of
livelihoods to
shocks
Project contribution to FAO Strategic Framework
SO5 : increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises
The project also contribute to the following strategic objectives :
SO1 : The project directly contributes to increased food security, with increased
agricultural production
SO3 : The project indirectly contributes to reduce rural
poverty through additional income and access to micro credit
Project contribution to strengthen resilience related
capacities at different levels of the society
Absorptive capacity Adaptive capacity Transformative capacity
Household
•Increased soil moisture, better
response to micro fertilizer
application and seed germination at
the first stage of growth.
•Increased yield means additional
source of food, as well as income to
be invested in other livelihoods
assets.
•Investment in irrigation pipe systems
reduces vulnerability to water scarcity
and drought
•Adoption of crop rotation and
adaptation
•Training of women headed
households and increased access to
productive means
Community
•Establishment of participatory
Water Users Groups (WUG) and
Village development committees
(VDC) to promote adoption of
efficient use and management of
scarce water
•Increased technical capacity of
extension and technical staff, as well as
communities farmers in irrigation
systems and maintenance.
• WUG and VDV as well as exchange
visits strengthen communities social
capital.
•Adoption and increased capacities
of growers in systems and crop
management is an important asset
to face impacts of climate change.
•contribution to reduction of
tensions linked with scarce resource
base (TBC)
Nation
Action to be replicated at national
level under the Agricultural Revival
Program
•Increased interagency collaboration
between farmer groups and other
institutions
SO2 : The project directly contribute to making agriculture more productive and
sustainable