Abstract
Rainfed agriculture is practiced in the central clay plains of Sudan and is affected by the high rainfall variability in time and space within and between seasons. This study focused on analyzing rainfall variability and trend using a 30-year record (1985-2014) of seven meteorological stations at the major agricultural production areas in Gedarif state in eastern Sudan. Yearly rainfall has relatively low variability compared to monthly variability. According to annual rainfall totals, it was possible to classify stations into two groups; one with annual rainfall more than 600 mm and the second with rainfall ranging between 500 to 600 mm. In both groups, the majority of rainfall (60%) occurred during July and August. Trends of rainfall were inconsistent and the cropping season extended from June to September. Farmers in areas having high rainfall and extended growing season (group I) could grow suitable crops and varieties and their appropriate management practices should be implemented. In areas of low rainfall and short growing seasons (group II), farmers could grow crops of short maturing varieties and water harvesting techniques. There is a need for research activities that examine rainfall trends and how agricultural practices might adapt accordingly. Key words: Rainfall, variability, trend, sorghum yield, Gedarif, Sudan.
Highlights
The rainfall as the most important hydrological variable significantly affects agriculture in dry land areas
This study focused on analyzing rainfall variability and trend using a 30-year record (1985-2014) of seven meteorological stations at the major agricultural production areas in Gedarif state in eastern Sudan
The results of this study and the above reviewed literature can shows that annual rainfall in the studied stations has relatively low variability compared to monthly variability
Summary
The rainfall as the most important hydrological variable significantly affects agriculture in dry land areas. Agricultural production is one of the main pillars of the Sudanese economy as it provides food for most of the country’s citizens and raw materials for local industries besides its contribution to the export market. The contribution of agricultural sector to gross domestic product (GDP) is about 30.6% (Central Bank of Sudan, 2013). In Sudan, agriculture is divided into irrigated and rainfed sectors. The latter represents about 92% of the total cultivated area in the Sudan (18.7 million ha) (Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, 2015). Rainfed agriculture is practiced in the central clay plains of Sudan in three climatic zones; dry, semi-dry and semi-
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