Sudan: GERD, a relative hope for Sudanese peasants along the Nile [3/3]
Audio 02:35
Farmers from La Gezira stand near an irrigation canal.
The water comes directly from the Blue Nile by gravity.
No pumping system is used.
The maintenance of the canals is today a major stake in relaunching the project.
© RFI / Abdulmonam Eassa
By: Eliott Brachet
6 mins
While in the short term, Khartoum makes it a matter of security, in the long term, Sudan sees GERD as an opportunity to obtain cheap electricity, but also to control its water resources.
For most Sudanese peasants along the Blue Nile, the Renaissance dam is not a threat, on the contrary.
Publicity
From our special correspondent in the Blue Nile,
As far as the eye can see, irrigation canals crisscross the landscape.
They are directly fed by the Blue Nile.
Driving a cart loaded with bags of seeds, Mohammed Abdelkader is about to sow a few hectares of cotton.
For him, the Renaissance dam is a godsend.
“
For us in La Gezira, this project is in our interest.
It will help stabilize the water level and also reduce the amount of sediment blocking the irrigation canals.
The Ethiopian dam is used to produce electricity so it will continue to reject water which will be stored in our dams such as Sennar or Roseires.
We can cultivate with a stable amount of water.
There is no doubt,
”he assures us.
Less massive flooding thanks to the dam
With more control over the waters of the Nile, this farmer hopes to develop an annual production that is more than seasonal.
The Renaissance Dam could also have another positive effect for Sudanese farmers by reducing the risk of massive flooding.
► To read also: Sudan: at the Roseires dam, fears for the safety and the proper functioning of the installations
On the banks of the Blue Nile, Mohammed Saddiq built dikes to protect his crops of bananas, mangoes and grapefruit.
“
All of this is land flooded by the Nile.
Tons of sediment are deposited there and renew the earth.
The soil does not need fertilizers.
But the problem is, the unpredictable floods are destroying my crops.
Impossible to practice a constant agriculture.
The floods also destroy the banks.
They are not stable.
Look, there I lost almost 300 square meters.
If the dam stabilizes the shore, I am a winner,
”explains Mohammed Saddiq.
Change in farmers' practices
Who says less flooding, says less sediment and therefore less fertile land.
For Izaat Tahir, agronomy researcher at Wad Madani, the Ethiopian dam could change the practices of farmers in the long term.
“
This farmer doesn't look forward to 10 or 20 years.
Especially if he grows bananas.
Bananas get a lot of nutrients from the soil.
He cannot imagine what could happen if his land is not flooded again in the years to come.
He will have to use chemical fertilizers.
And maybe one day, its soil will have lost all of its characteristics,
”warns Izaat Tahir.
► To read also: Sudan: the lack of information on the potential consequences of GERD deplored
According to this researcher, very few studies have been carried out.
While it will benefit Sudanese agriculture, the Renaissance Dam could also have negative long-term effects.
On the environment in particular.
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Sudan
Agriculture and Fishing
Water