A proposed plan of action for research on desertification in the Sudan: greater Kordofan
2004
El-Tahir, B.A.,Agricultural Research and Technology Corporation, El Obeid Agricultural Research Station (Sudan) | Ballal, M.E.,Agricultural Research and Technology Corporation, El Obeid Agricultural Research Station (Sudan) | Al-Fadni, O.A.,Agricultural Research and Technology Corporation, El Obeid Agricultural Research Station (Sudan)
Greater Kordofan, currently consisting of North-, West- and South-Kordofan States, is greatly affected by drought and desertification. It lies in the arid and semi-arid zones between latitudes 9 deg 5**** and 16 40*** N and longitudes 27 deg and 32 deg E and large parts of it lie within the area threatened by desertification hazards (Lat. 12 deg -18 deg N). Since 1945, it has been inflicted by successive droughts (1968, 1973/74 and 1984/85, 1993/1994). This is coupled with marginal sandy soils; fluctuating rainfall and land misuse which have upset the ecological balance and caused socio-economic problems. Most importantly is the declining yields of crops, especially, on the sandy soils which occupy 60 of the region. Research studies to combat desertification had been undertaken in the region since the early 1970s. Different approaches and techniques were adopted, with focus on the rehabilitation of the environment through conservation, management and development of natural resource base. There are numerous research gaps including, among others, the use of remote sensing and GIS techniques, environmental monitoring and establishment of environmental database, land use management, intermediate technologies, sand dune stabilization, soil-tree-crop interactions and conservation of genetic resources. The objectives of the action plan for greater Kordofan are to rehabilitate the environment, and conserve and develop the natural resources base. These could be achieved through, soil and water management; afforestation/ reforestation of degraded lands, sand dune fixation, conservation and enrichment of biological diversity, introduction of intermediate technologies, and development of drought tolerant crops and range species. This paper highlights the previous and current research on desertification and rehabilitation of degraded lands in greater Lordofan. The plans of action for the period 2001-2010 and priority research areas are outlined
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