Updated: July 2008
Sudan
Country Programme
With an area of 2.5 million square kilometres, Sudan is situated at the North Eastern part of the African continent between latitude 23°and 5° 56′ North and longitude 21° 54′ and 36° 4′ East. Having this extensive area, Sudan is surrounded by nine countries. Also it is situated in a position between the African and the Arabian countries. Both of these enabled Sudan to have a diversity of traditions, norms and cultures. This spanned area exposed Sudan to different climatic and vegetation zones, ranging from complete desert in the North to the tropical forests in the extreme South.
Agriculture is the main economic activity: 70% of the population depends on agriculture, it contribute by 34% of the Gross Domestic Production (GDP). Animal wealth is estimated at 140 million head. Forestry covers 41 million feddans (1 feddan = 0.42 ha). Annual fisheries production is estimated at 47,000 tons.
The unique location of the country and the wonderful diversity make Sudan one of the best locations for the Prolinnova programme.
The Programme in Sudan aims at building/strengthening partnerships between the different stakeholders involved in agriculture, NRM, agricultural research and development in the country. Practical Action (formerly ITDG) Sudan Office is the coordinating NGO for the start-up phase of the Programme. The preparatory work started in 2004 by contacting the concerned government institutions namely: the Technology Transfer and Extension Administration (TTEA) and the Agricultural Research and Technology Corporation (ARTC). Practical Action, TTEA and ARTC agreed to form a National Steering Committee (NSC) to lead the overall strategic direction of the Programme. In April 2004, the NSC was formed with seven members from the following institutions:
- TTEA (Technology Transfer and Extension Administration);
- ARTC (Agricultural Research and Technology Corporation);
- Sudanese Environment Conservation Society (SECS), a local NGO;
- Sudanese Organic Agriculture, a local NGO;
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO);
- International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD);
- Farmers Union.
- Pastoralist Union.
- Sinar University.
- Practical Action–Sudan.
The Prolinnova-Sudan Program has been approved and funding of activities started in January 2005.
Activities and achievements thus far:
- National workshop: Six national workshops were held to introduce the programme to the national stakeholders in different regions in Sudan during 2005/2007.
- Regional workshops: Three regional workshops were organized in the eastern, central west and western regions. Country inventory of innovative ideas, collection of 10 innovations were published in a book named Promoting Local Innovation in Sudan.
- Formation of PTD / PID teams.
- A PID review and assessment workshop was organized in Wad Madani (central Sudan) in collaboration with El Gazera University. The workshop was attended by participants from 7 states in North Sudan. Total of 15 researchers and academicians participated in the workshop. They were representing four universities and five research stations and the HQ of the ARC. Most of the participants attended one of the three PID training workshops held during 2006 / 2007.
- Experimentation to validate innovative ideas.
- Documentation of the appropriate innovative ideas.
- Farmers to farmer’s forums: Tow farmers to farmer’s forms were held in Dongola (North Sudan) and El Obied (Central Sudan). The last forum was funded by the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD).
- Written materials (posters-brochures) were prepared in a sense to draw public attention to the importance of local innovations and its relevance to pro-poor growth and its contribution to the MDGs.
Choices for 2008:
- Building the Capacity of the local partners to identify and document innovations and innovators.
- Supporting farmers research and farmers led documentation.
- Continue supporting PID training of key partners.
- Integrating gender issues practically (Workshop on Women innovators).
- Continue getting stakeholders together (farmers to farmers- farmers to extensionists and researchers).
- Scaling up and mainstreaming activities with ongoing projects.
- Addressing climate change as it is becoming a cross cutting issue and building on already existing PID initiatives that have climate change aspect.
- Develop/improve format for M&E information by partners.
For more information, please contact Mr. Noureldin Ahmed, Programme Coordinator-Sudan; email noureldina@itdg-sudan.org or practicalaction@practicalaction.org.uk or visit http://www.practicalaction.org
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