Funder: USAID

Project lead: CIMMYT

Duration: 1 November 2022 – 30 September 2024

Project location: Sudan

Partners: Practical Action, Mercy-Corps, Zenab Women for Development.

Project Manager: Wubetu Bihon Legesse

WorldVeg, in collaboration with CGIAR Centers and national and international NGOs, has been implementing the Sustainable Agrifood Systems Approach for Sudan (SASAS) since mid-2023, focusing on improving vegetable production, consumption and value chains in three states in eastern Sudan – Kassala, Gedaref, and Blue Nile.

Objectives

• Sustainably increase production and productivity of vegetables through the introduction of innovations and technologies that enhance input use efficiency (of seeds, water, fertilizer, etc.).
• Enhance market participation among smallholder vegetable producers by establishing and institutionalizing vegetable business networks (VBNs) and technology hubs.
• Promote vegetable consumption and dietary diversity to improve nutrition in Sudanese society, with a focus on women, and children under five years of age.
• Increase profitability of vegetable enterprises through improved production of safe vegetables, and the widespread adoption of technologies and practices that reduce postharvest losses.
• Introduce vegetable production as part of humanitarian responses in conflict areas.

As of January 2024, the project is now showing good progress despite all the challenges resulting from the unstable situation and conflict in Sudan. Major achievements were reported.

Blue Nile

In Blue Nile State, 25 vegetable business networks, each with 40 individuals, were established in 11 villages by the NGO partner JASMAR. Demonstration plots were established in each village with drip irrigation systems installed. Each received training on vegetable production, including raising seedlings, nursery management, good agricultural practices, pest and weed management, harvesting and postharvest handling. They also received training on how to maintain the irrigation system to grow vegetables all year round. With support from the Ministry of Agriculture, WorldVeg prepared information pamphlets that were printed and distributed to 1,000 farmers.

Assessments were conducted in Al-Damazine, Al-Rosairis, Al-Azaza, and Al-Serawo markets to gather information about local markets and understand their potential for smallholder producers, and which revealed that markets in Al-Damazine and Al-Rosairis have a large demand for vegetables.

Farmers and business network members then received marketing training, including demand assessment, market requirements, packaging, quality control, and negotiation skills, to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively engage in marketing. Direct access to urban markets for networks and individual farmers was facilitated by establishing relationships with wholesalers, retailers, and supermarkets.

A technical agreement with the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) and the Ministry of Agriculture was signed in January 2024, with 15 villages selected in El-Roseires and El-Damazin for project implementation. Community leaders from the 15 village were consulted for communicating and mobilizing vegetable producers and establishing producer groups. Vegetable seeds were distributed to many farmers, and orientation and awareness sessions are planned.

Gadaref

In Gadaref State, 50 vegetable business networks were established by Mercy Corps, and sensitized on vegetable production and value chain development. However, following the RSF attack in December, the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) and the General Intelligence Service (GIS) declined to give travel permits and suspended all NGO activities in the state. A total of 500 farmers received a package of subsidized seeds which included 50 grams of tomato, 906 grams of the local leafy vegetable jute mallow (mulukhiya), 906 grams of okra and 906 grams of cucumber.

The Zenab Women Development NGO distributed vegetable seeds to 412 smallholders from 15 farmer groups, including sweet and chili pepper, tomato, eggplant, watermelon, jute mallow, okra, radish and purslane. Farmers also received hand tools (hoes, shovels, pickaxes and sickles), knapsack sprayers and chemical such as the synthetic pyrethroid insecticide Cypermethrin. Awareness training was also given to 117 farmers from El-Fashaga and El-Mafaza.

Kassala

In Kassala State, Practical Action, with support from the Director General and senior staff of the Ministry of Production and Economic Resources, distributed improved seeds of okra, tomato, sweet pepper, and jute mallow to 10 farmer associations groups. A demonstration plot with drip irrigation was established at the nursery of the Horticulture Department, eight orientation and training sessions were conducted for 218 farmers, and 30 farmers from the 10 farmer groups were trained in organic fertilizer and compost production. A great achievement by the project is the Elharam group of mostly women farmers who have already started harvesting and selling jute mallow.

Major challenges exist, however, that limit the full achievement of project objectives. These include the continued insecurity and possible expansion of the conflict in other states, the poor banking system (no cash available in most banks, and international transactions are difficult), the difficulty of communication (phone and internet) with online meetings almost impossible in many localities, price inflation, no fuel in many places, and bureaucracy in government institutions regarding registration and travel restrictions.