Alumni blog: Navigating possibilities of the water sector in post-war Sudan

As young Sudanese water professionals, we are ready to work to make change happen. But we need stability to do so. Peace fosters an atmosphere conducive to collaboration and innovation, empowering us to leverage the combined knowledge and enthusiasm of young professionals such as ourselves to directly address urgent water-related challenges. We need the war to end. However, we can start now to plan for our new Sudan. This is a call for all Sudanese researchers and peacemakers to help pave the way to exit the war and start building the new Sudan.

We highlight some of the recommendations discussed at the conference:

The irrigated Gezira scheme was the largest producer of exporting crops fodder in the country. If operated optimally, it could feed Sudan and other countries.   

• Use remote sensing and  WaPOR data to research the management of agricultural inputs and in-field water applications on a smaller scale. Through such research, other factors that cause spatial variation in production can be identified and lessons learned for optimal resource utilization. This recommendation was presented by Razan Gamal, whose MSc thesis focused on resource allocation in the Gezira scheme

• Empower and train local communities to manage water resources sustainably for more collaboration and decisions that match local needs. This will  ensure support for farmers and enable quick action to address issues, thereby contributing to more effective and equitable water governance. The recommendation was presented by  Fatima Mohamed, whose MSc thesis investigated the impact of the Gezira scheme policies on the cropping pattern and irrigation performance.  

• Implement  existing models in agricultural management practices within the Gezira scheme. Also, spark collaboration among stakeholders, including government agencies and agricultural organizations to  integrate  remote sensing-based tools in decision-making. The recommendation was presented by Mahmoud Ahmed, whose MSc thesis used remote sensing to estimate the effect of nitrogen stress on crop yield.

• Incorporate areas that are irrigated with informal practices into the Gezira scheme. This will lead to increased yields and more efficient use of water, thereby helping to secure the livelihoods of farmers and labourers. The additional water required to incorporate the informally irrigated areas can be recouped with improved canal maintenance and drains water reuse. The recommendation was presented by Dalal Siddig, whose MSc thesis focused on the topic.

Gamal, Fatima, Mahmoud and Siddig are part of an IHE Delft team of experts working to develop a strategic transformative vision for the Gezira irrigation scheme.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), located in Ethiopia 20 kilometres east of the Sudanese border and less than 150 kilometres upstream from Sudan’s Rosieres dam, has a major impact on Sudan. Yet the absence of shared data leaves Sudan oblivious to Ethiopia’s practices. 

• Use remote-sensing data to learn about the filling and operation levels of the GERD. For her IHE Delft MSc thesis, Aseel Mohamed used globally available remote sensing datasets to simulate the flow of the Blue Nile. This enabled her to make reliable predictions and estimations of water availability.
• Adjust the Roseires dam operational strategy to increase hydroelectric power generation. For her MSc thesis, Gofran Ahmed used modelling to assess the impact of  GERD on the sediment load at the Roseires dam, finding that GERD captures about 95% of the sediment from the Blue Nile. This reduces the storage losses caused by sediment in Roseires, which removes the need to lower its level for sediment release and makes it possible to significantly enhance hydroelectric power generation.