Historical analysis of the impacts of floods on agriculture in the Sudan

Résumé du livre

The Sudan's agricultural sector contributes a third of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and supports two-thirds of the population, but faces significant challenges due to heavy floods and other extreme weather events. However, the Sudan lacks an effective system for monitoring flooded farmlands, hindering disaster preparedness and response. This issue arises due to several factors such as limited access to data on flood-affected areas, difficulties in adopting advanced technologies like remote sensing and GIS, and the country's vast size, remote regions and unpredictable flooding patterns. Without a reliable monitoring system, early warnings and preventive measures cannot be implemented, leaving farmers exposed to recurring losses and exacerbating food insecurity. This assessment utilizes remote sensing data to analyse flood impacts on Sudanese agriculture between 2012 and 2024, aiming to establish a national baseline and enhance early warning systems. As flooding and other extreme weather events increase in severity, it is imperative that mitigation strategies are developed to support farmers in flood-prone regions such as the Sudan. Findings show significant annual variations, with peak flood extents in August and September. Sennar and Gedaref were the most affected states for rainfed croplands, while Aj Jazirah had the highest flood extent in irrigated croplands. The flood risk map highlights southeastern states as the most vulnerable, underscoring the need for improved flood monitoring and early warning systems.