Water Shortages and Political Infighting Threaten Sudan’s Largest Agricultural Project
The Al Jazirah Scheme, Sudan’s largest agricultural project and one of the biggest irrigation systems in the world, is on the brink of collapse as farmers face water shortages, financial obstacles, and political disputes.
Covering over 813,701 hectares, the project has been devastated by the war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Most of its canals, machinery, and assets have been destroyed, leaving farmers with minimal resources to continue cultivation.
Union leader Jad Karim told Sudan Tribune that less than 10% of the land is currently under cultivation, with most of eastern Al Jazirah relying only on rain-fed farming. He said Haddaf Wad al-Fadl has been completely destroyed, while other regions are suffering similar levels of damage.
Karim accused the Ministry of Irrigation of failing to maintain the project and pointed to widespread issues such as silt build-up, weed infestations, and broken canals. He also criticized financial institutions for abandoning farmers: the Central Bank and Finance Ministry have refused loan guarantees, while the Agricultural Bank is demanding debt repayments before offering fresh credit.
He claimed this neglect reflects the de facto government’s lack of commitment to reviving the project, saying: “The government has no trust in farmers and no desire for the scheme to succeed.”
Internal disputes are further complicating recovery efforts. Karim accused elements of the former regime of trying to seize control of the project, noting that a violent altercation broke out during Prime Minister Kamil Idris’s visit to Barakat. He also dismissed their calls for new committees, saying they once opposed similar structures during Sudan’s transition.
With disagreements inside the project’s reconstruction committee, no full assessment of damages has been carried out, leaving the scale of losses uncertain.
About the Author
