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. _