The report evaluates sorghum production in Sudan for the 2024/25 season, focusing on Gedaref, White Nile, Blue Nile, and Kassala’s New Halfa scheme. Key findings include improved crop conditions, an increase in sorghum area, and an estimated total production of 2.65 million tons, with Gedaref contributing the largest share. Overall, this highlights the importance of sorghum as a vital crop for Sudan’s economy.
This report evaluates sorghum production in four key states of Sudan during the 2024/25 growing season. The assessment focuses on Gedaref, White Nile, Blue Nile, and the New Halfa irrigation scheme located in Kassala, which are recognized as the main sorghum-producing regions. Sorghum serves as the staple crop for Sudan, often stored long-term in underground pits called Matmuras.
To analyze production, the study initially employed satellite imagery to pinpoint sorghum cultivation areas. The peak normalized difference vegetation index (Peak-NDVI) was correlated with yield data derived from crop cutting. The generated regression line was then applied to additional sorghum growing areas.
Key findings highlighted that crop conditions exceeded expectations despite numerous challenges faced by farmers in the preceding season. In Gedaref, the area planted with sorghum increased slightly compared to 2023, while it remained above the long-term average in White Nile and Kassala. Conversely, Blue Nile reported a below-average sorghum area.
For Kassala, the total area estimate was calculated at 734,000 hectares. The average productivity of rainfed sorghum state-wide was approximately 0.9 tons per hectare, leading to an estimated total sorghum production of 2.65 million tons. This total is represented by state contributions: Gedaref (1.57 million t), White Nile (0.70 million t), Blue Nile (0.31 million t), and New Halfa irrigation scheme (0.07 million t).
The report summarizes the positive outlook for sorghum production in Sudan’s key sorghum-growing states for the 2024/25 season, despite previous challenges. Increased sorghum planting area and satisfactory yield estimates indicate resilience in the agricultural sector, with total production reaching 2.65 million tons. Future implications point towards a sustainable model for sorghum storage and production relying on the favorable climatic conditions and farmers’ efforts.
Original Source: www.cgiar.org
