Nuclear Science Helps Women Farmers in Sudan Move Out of Poverty
Thriving fields, lasting change: how nuclear science helps women farmers in Sudan leave hunger and poverty behind
Parched earth stretches as far as the eye can see around Kassala, Sudan. The area is known as the ‘bread basket’ of Sudan as the soil is rich with nutrients, and when efficiently supplied with adequate water, has shown to be an excellent environment for growing food.
But water in these parts is scarce and climate change is making it worse.
Nestled in the midst of these dry lands are patches of green where women who once were not allowed to work are now building their futures by growing vegetables that thrive thanks to nuclear science.
For hundreds of women and their families, many of whom are refugees or internally displaced, food resources have been limited and they have relied on their husbands’ meagre income.
While their husbands are allowed to work, the women did not have an option to grow their own food or leave their homes to earn a living. Due to the cost of buying food, sometimes at prohibitive prices particularly during the off season, many people in these villages are malnourished
Science was the starting point of a new change for these women.
Scientists from the country’s Agricultural Research Cooperation (ARC) were trained and provided technical support by experts from the IAEA, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The scientists learned to use the soil moisture neutron probe technique to measure and determine moisture levels in local soil, to quantify the amount of water needed by the crops, and to use the nitrogen-15 isotopic technique (15N) to optimize nitrogen fertilizer applications.
These scientific studies then formed the basis for how much water and fertilizer to deliver through a watering system known as drip irrigation. Such systems are low cost, easy to install and simple to use.
Drip irrigation involves a giant raised tub of water that is controlled by an on-off valve, which, when switched on, uses gravity to draw the water mixed with fertilizer down into a series of tubes placed directly at the base of the plants. Using this method of combining water and fertilizer through drip irrigation is called ‘fertigation’.
Although not a new technology in itself, it is only when set up correctly and optimized using scientific data that drip irrigation can be effective with very little water waste, thus reducing wastage.
Once the scientists determined the optimal amount of water and fertilizers needed for the crops to thrive, they helped set up and trained farmers to use the drip irrigation system and apply fertilizer properly. The training was distilled down to easy-to-follow instructions that reflected the scientific findings. Scientists like Ahmed Khalifa (far left) provide ongoing technical support to ensure the systems continue running properly.
They have worked closely with IAEA-trained scientists from the ARC to set up and run more than 50 small-scale farms and home gardens for over 400 women. This is expected to be further expanded through more drip irrigation projects for over 1000 more women.
The success of the IAEA pilot project in reducing water use by more than 60% while increasing food yields by more than 40% drew the attention of other organizations throughout Kassala.
As women become more empowered, they gain a further share of decision-making in the family and the community.
Women’s empowerment can help to reduce poverty, and it makes future planning more effective. When women are empowered, the community is further empowered.
The drip irrigation system has also been identified by the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) as effective for sustainable climate change adaptation and mitigation. It is now labelled as a UNFCCC National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) model for use worldwide.
As this drip irrigation system model continues to spread around the globe, women in Kassala are eager to keep building on their success.
“We want to do more,” said Fatima Ismail, a farmer from a small village outside of Kassala in eastern Sudan where this IAEA-supported drip irrigation project has been ongoing since 2015. “We want to expand the area and grow more and new types of vegetables. We want to help educate others to do this. We need another water tank, so all of our neighbours and all the women in the village get involved. We want everyone to have a chance. We are ready.”
