Empowering farmers for sustainable growth in Eastern Sudan

Persistent conflict, economic instability and climate change are severely affecting communities in Eastern Sudan. Local populations and thousands of refugees struggle to find stable, dignified work. As a result, providing security for their families has become almost impossible. Yet, the very soil beneath their feet may hold the solution.

The fertile lands of Kassala and Gedarif states hold great potential that could transform the region. Through the Agribusiness Development in Eastern Sudan project, Practical Action is empowering local farmers, entrepreneurs, strengthening business opportunities, and enhancing institutional frameworks. Working closely with communities, we can build sustainable livelihoods and drive lasting prosperity for generations to come.

Striving for stability and opportunities

Eastern Sudan, host to many of the around 700,000 refugees in the country (UNHCR 2017), is struggling with the impacts of a long-winded civil war, economic instability, and climate change. These issues are intensified by high unemployment, particularly among youth and women, as well as the limited availability of resources and opportunities to improve livelihoods.

Agriculture, the backbone of the region’s economy, is underperforming. Rainfed farming has traditionally been to main agricultural practice in the area, but yields remain low, and many farmers struggle with little access to resources and inefficient value chains. Financial services are scarce, and many small businesses face high operational costs. At the same time, the absence of skilled labour and the collapse of many small enterprises further hinder economic growth. These factors combined are driving rural-to-urban migration, placing further strain on already overburdened cities and worsening the situation for both refugees and host communities.

Building the foundation for sustainable livelihoods

The Agribusiness Development in Eastern Sudan project, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union, aims to enhance income-generating opportunities for refugees and host communities in the region. We are addressing this challenge combining our expertise in regenerative agriculture and on strengthening local cooperative groups.

To improve agricultural production, productivity, and access to economic participation, we are:

• Supporting local businesses and economic activities, particularly from disadvantaged groups.
• Improving the enabling environment for local agribusiness.
• Making partnerships possible between community-managed cooperatives and state services to improve farming production, productivity, quality and returns.

“The installation of the solar irrigation system has given us a fresh start. We can now resume our farming without the worry of high fuel prices.” – Alrayah Alamein, Small Farmer, Aboda village, Wad Alhilou Locality, Kassala State

By the end of the project, we will:

• Support vaccination campaigns reaching 50,000 cattle heads or more.
• Rehabilitate 4 haffirs in common rangeland for pastoralists and nomadic pastoralists.
• Training of community animal health workers with provision of 55 kits.
• Establishment of 3 veterinary drug revolving funds and community veterinary drug revolving funds
• 240 women trained in livestock and diary processing by products
• Establish 14 solar-powered irrigation systems to support small farmers.
• Establish 3 community centres.
• Establish 2 warehouses for crops.
• Distribute improved sorghum, millet, and sesame seeds to over 3,000 small farmers.
• Distribute 7 types of improved vegetable seeds to 600 small farmers.
• Distribution of 4 sets of agricultural machineries to four specialized associations in the targeted localities

“I had no experience in agriculture whatsoever, but after completing the training, I began growing vegetables like melons, eggplant, and pumpkins at home for my family’s consumption. I also invested in 5 fadden of land to grow sesame seeds.”

Shiraz Emad, Wadalhilou locality, Kassala State