Sorghum Production Assessment in Selected States of Sudan for 2024/25 Season

The report assesses sorghum production in Sudan for the 2024/25 season, indicating better-than-expected crop conditions despite prior challenges. Cultivation areas increased in Gedaref and surpassed averages in White Nile, while total production is estimated at 2.65 million tons.

This report presents an assessment of sorghum production across select states in Sudan for the 2024/25 growing season, focusing specifically on Gedaref, White Nile, Blue Nile, and the New Halfa irrigation scheme in Kassala. These areas are significant contributors to the country’s sorghum supply, with the crop regarded as a staple food. Known for its resilience, sorghum can be stored for prolonged periods, making it a favorable option for farmers.

Utilizing satellite imagery, we identified regions cultivated with sorghum and analyzed the peak normalized difference vegetation index (Peak-NDVI), correlating it with yield data derived from crop sampling. The analytical process culminated in applying regression outcomes to estimate sorghum productivity areas throughout these states.

Key findings from the assessment reveal that, despite the challenges faced by farmers in the preceding 2023/24 season, crop conditions surprisingly exceeded expectations. The area devoted to sorghum cultivation in Gedaref increased slightly compared to 2023 and surpassed historical averages in White Nile and Kassala, although it remained below average in Blue Nile. In Kassala, we estimated the sorghum area at 734,000 hectares.

For the 2024/25 season, the average productivity of rainfed sorghum was approximately 0.9 tons per hectare. Overall, the estimated total sorghum production for this period reached 2.65 million tons, with Gedaref contributing 1.57 million tons, White Nile 0.70 million tons, Blue Nile 0.31 million tons, and the New Halfa irrigation scheme in Kassala accounting for 0.07 million tons.

In summary, the assessment of sorghum production in selected Sudanese states for the 2024/25 growing season indicates a notable resilience in crop conditions amid previous challenges. The increase in cultivated sorghum area in Gedaref and above-average figures in White Nile and Kassala demonstrate positive trends. Total estimated production of 2.65 million tons highlights the importance of sorghum as a staple crop and its potential for sustaining food security in the region.

Original Source: www.cgiar.org