Soil productivity and food security in Sudan: Current situation and challenges, Dr Sarra Saad, Dr Moawia Babiker and Suliman Gasm Elseed
Dr Sarra Saad
National Center for Research
Sudan
Dr Moawia Babiker
Ekhtibarat Soil and Water Tests Service
Sudan
Suliman Gasm Elseed
Omdurman Islamic University
Sudan
Purpose: As a country of the developing world, Sudan already contends with chronic poverty and a food crisis. Soil productivity presents yet another signifi cant challenge to be met. The decrease in agricultural production during the growing seasons adversely aff ects human lives and causes scarcity of major crops in Sudanese markets. As a result, prices increase and imports from outside the country also increased to fi ll the gap even for major crops, for example, wheat and some vegetables. Methodology: As a country of the developing world, Sudan already contends with chronic poverty and a food crisis. Soil productivity presents yet another signifi cant challenge to be met. The decrease in agricultural production during the growing seasons adversely aff ects human lives and causes scarcity of major crops in Suda nese markets. As a result, prices increase and imports from outside the country also increased to fi ll the gap even for major crops, for example,wheat and some vegetables.
Findings: Results revealed that most agricultural schemes grow vegetables and fodder throughout the year. There is also a signifi cant reduction in agricultural production in all schemes that reached up to 40% compared to the last 10 years. The increase in temperature, especially during the winter season, forced some farmers to change their crop bands. The irrigation of the water supply, spread of diseases, high cost of fertilisers, soil erosion and lack of agricultural extension also aff ected crop production in most schemes.
Value: Therefore it is recommended that urgent measures should be implemented in order to increase agricultural production. Land management programmes and fertilisation strategies must be considered. Implementation of awareness programmes about the hazards of climate change and temperature increases is needed urgently, especially among farmers and decision makers for better planning and future outlook.
Keywords: agricultural potential; soil productivity; food security; fertilisation management; climatic hazard; soil quality.
Citation: Saad, S., Babiker, M. and Elseed, S. G. (2016): Soil productivity and food security in Sudan: Current situation and challenges. In Ahmed, A. (Ed.): Europe at a Crossroads and the Impact of Globalization, Vol. 14, pp. 231-242.
