Sudan Contribution to CGIAR, Window 3

Sudan covers 1,886,068 km² and is home to a total population estimated at 38 million. The country has a high poverty rate with low HDI. The country’s land resources are dominated by arid and semi-arid ecosystems, a vulnerable situation for rainfall-dependent agro-pastoral areas (the most prevalent form of agriculture in Sudan). Pastoral and agro-pastoral systems are the mainstay of the economy as products derived from these livestock systems are the primary source of income – especially in Kordofan. However livestock productivity is low due to insufficient feeding capacity, lack of veterinary services and water scarcity. The small holder farmers are also at a market disadvantage due to lack of market information, bargaining and access. Furthermore, land degradation and limited water storage capacity, due to inappropriate resource management and climate change, are a serious concern. Land degradation, water scarcity and climate change have a negative impact also on wheat production: the major source of calories and protein in the country.

The current research for development proposal is consistent with the results-based country strategic opportunities program (COSOP) for the Sudan and is aligned with the Government’s rural and agriculture development strategies . The goal of improving food security and incomes for poor rural people will be achieved through increase in productivity of crops and small ruminants, and access to market. The goal of reducing land degradation and improving NRM will be achieved through the development and adoption of integrated watershed management. This approach would be beneficial in improving socio-economic conditions of farmers depending on rain-fed agriculture. Capacity-building activities will be directed at farmers, researchers and extension agents to accelerate knowledge on participatory watershed development and management. The improvement of wheat adaptation and production will be reached through the improvement of the seed systems; irrigation management and access to markets.

The impact pathways wants to represent the logic of the project. At its core are the three main components identified on the basis of project components which fall under Project Research & Development Outcomes. Each of these is represented as an achievement that derives from reaching the six determined project outputs. Achieving goals at output and outcomes level will contribute to reach project objectives, i.e. sub-intermediate Development outcomes- as specified on the logframe. The sub-intermediate development outcomes fall under specific system level goals- CGIAR strategic goals, which in this case have been identified to be: Reduced Poverty; Capacity Development; Improved NRM.