Organisation of the scheme.
The Sudan government provided land and was responsible for irrigation. The Sudan Gezira board manages the scheme by providing services such as transport, administration, storage and ginning facilities. It under takes various aspects of research into the scheme.
All the farmers are tenants and they rent the land for one year, the inspectors decide the crops grown. The tenants who prove unsatisfactory are kicked out.
|
Body |
percentage |
|
Tenants |
48 |
|
Government |
36 |
|
Gezira |
10 |
|
Social
Dev’t fund |
2 |
|
Local
Government fund |
2 |
|
Tenant
Reserve fund |
2 |
|
Total |
100% |
The local government councils provide local administration services such as primary education. There is also a tenant reserve fund. This is paid out in years when the fields are low.
The income from the scheme is shared out by all the bodies as shown here.
Activity
(a) Draw a sketch map showing the location of the Gezira Irrigation scheme and on it mark and name:
(i) Towns: Khartoum, Kosti and Igad Medani,
(ii) Dams: Sennar and Jabel Aulia
(iii) Irrigated areas: Gezira and Managil.
(b) Explain the:
(i) Factors which favoured the establishment of the Gezira Irrigation Scheme.
(ii) Problems which resulted from the establishment of the scheme.
c) Outline the benefits of the Gezira scheme to the people of Sudan.
d) Name any two crops which are grown on the Gezira Scheme.
Refer to the Gezira map above
(i) Factors that favoured the establishment of the Gezira irrigation scheme
i. The land is relatively flat and as such much suitable for irrigation. The area is greatly sloping westwards so that water flows by natural gravity through canals into the fields.
ii. The flat land has enabled mechanization. Tractors and other machines are used without any problem.
iii. The construction of transport network was much more easier due to the flat land.
iv. Most of the water canals are able to transport the water to the required areas much more easier.
v. This part of Sudan is a semi desert with a summer rainfall as low as between 200-300 mm per year. This rainfall is too low for arable farming. Hence irrigation was most needed here.
vi. Presence of both the Blue and White Nile which provide constant water supply for irrigation.
vii. Presence of capital that was provided by the Sudan government in conjunction with the Gezira Board.
viii. Presence of naturally fertile lands which need no fertilization.
ix. The land is above the water table so no water logging occurs.
x. Clay content of the soil is quite high so when the canals are filled with water they become impervious and needed no water proof lining.
xi. The climate of the area which is characterized by light rains with irrigation was ideal for cotton.
xii. Because of the area’s aridity, there was no expensive clearing of bush and forest land. The area is also free from pastes and diseases.
xiii. The large supply of labour which was already there.