Economic and adoption impacts of modern irrigation technologies at river nile state of Sudan : a case study alfalfa fodder-legume crop

Abstract EN

Advanced technologies have the potential to raise water use efficiency and water productivity per unit, labour efficiency can also be improved.

The research reported in this paper seeks to evaluate the economic impacts of modern irrigation technologies' adoption and its application to the alfalfa winter-season fodder crops grown in the River Nile State of North Sudan (RNS).

Integrated analytical techniques were applied to attain the aims of the study.

A descriptive statistical analysis for crop water applied and crop water requirements for the main crops in area of the study.

GAMS, CropWat4 and SPSS were used to evaluate modern and conventional farming systems and their irrigation water performance.

Different production activities, concerned with winter-season crops were identified, with emphasis on alfalfa legume crop to illustrate different irrigation technology levels in the RNS.

The model constraints were also examined including irrigation water, land and labour.

Model scenarios were developed to investigate possible production options and to examine the different agricultural resource levels and policy implications that might affect the adoption of these new technologies.

The model findings revealed that conventional irrigation systems were not economically feasible options compared to modern ones.

This reflects actual farmers' behaviour, particularly for irrigation water, and indicates that water is the main resource constraint.

The study findings investigate water resources policies in developing countries that may cause great distortions resulting in negative effects on resources use.

This study concluded that investment and application of advanced irrigation technologies in different agricultural sectors are needed.