Abstract:
Agricultural production across most of the dry regions of the world, especially
in sub Saharan Africa is faced by multiple range of biophysical, socio-economic and
policy constraints. In addition, the vulnerability of climate is considered the main
obstruction that stands facing the sustainability of dry farming systems. Therefore, the
inhabitants of these areas are often faced with high incidence of malnutrition and
poverty caused by conflicts, harsh environment conditions such as low and unreliable
rainfall, frequent droughts and fragile ecosystem resulting in low and declining land
productivity. In Sudan, the total arid and semi arid lands is about half of the total
country's area. This has a tremendous effect on the rural inhabitants given that
agriculture is the source of living for more than 75% of the rural populations. As
communities are exposed to unexpected or unforeseen changes in weather patterns
and increased risk, there are growing concerns about the need for a farming system
that can provide human needs while benefiting the ecological systems and their
services. This paper portrays the variability of the ecological and socioeconomic
conditions in the rainfed dry farming system of the Sudan and its problems. An indepth
correlation between land degradation, crop yield decline and the impact of
climate variability or climate change on the sustainability of the rainfed farming
system is presented. Then agroforestry was presented, using the previous and current
research results outcomes, as one of the adaptation strategies to mitigate climate
change and the vulnerability of the rainfed agriculture. Agroforestry with its diverse
systems, products and services, management practices, can be tailored to suit different
ecological and economical conditions of the rainfed dry farming system. Agroforestry
systems can play a critical role in moderating the microclimate; and have potential to limit carbon emissions and sequester carbon. They provide economically viable and
environmentally friendly means to improve soil fertility; and have the capacity to
enhance the efficiency use of rain water; as well as offering a major pathway for
sustainable diversification of agricultural systems and incomes. Hence, agroforestry
systems should be given special attention in the Sudan for their multidisciplinary
nature where their usefulness is needed to reclaim degraded ecosystems or improve
and sustain the current farming systems, where it can be adapted to counter foreseen
or unforeseen climate changes.
Description:
Meeting: Role of Scientific Research in Agricultural Development : The 9th Scientific Conference, National Center for Research. Friendship Hall,Khartoum, 22-24 December 2009