Irrigation in Northern Sudan

Canal irrigation is the cornerstone for agricultural activities in Northern Sudan. Irrigation has ¿traditionally depended on the Nile water or, in areas where there is no access to Nile water, ¿cultivation depended on underground water. ¿ Several mechanical and biological problems are encountered in canal irrigation. These problems ¿make canal irrigation costly. Drip irrigation is considered as a possible solution to the challenges ¿facing canal irrigation. ¿ This study aims to identify the challenges facing canal and drip irrigation in Northern Sudan and ¿to assess these possibilities for sustainable irrigation, with respect to the future benefits when ¿growing date palms. ¿Data was gathered from both canal and drip irrigation projects in Northern Sudan. A drip ¿irrigation trial was completed at the Umjawasir project. Prices of vegetables were gathered over a ¿six-month period from the Khartoum market. Agricultural inputs and dripping kit prices were ¿gathered from markets. Data concerning date palms was collected in relation to canal and drip ¿irrigation. ¿