Thirst besieges villages and farms of the Gezira and Managil Project
Tam - Moatinoon
Residents and farmers in the 65 Kartoub Agricultural Office, affiliated with the Gezira Project, submitted an urgent appeal to the Government of Sudan, the Gezira Project and Managil Extension Administration, the projects Irrigation Department, the Gezira State Government, the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources (federal and state), the Executive Director of Al-Qurashi Locality, and all civil society organizations to take urgent action to address the water scarcity crisis resulting from the blockage of canals feeding the villages and fields of the 65 Kartoub Office.
The appeal called for urgent intervention to find rapid solutions and ensure a stable and regular supply of water to protect the agricultural season and preserve the lives of citizens. This appeal described the crisis as "serious and portends the complete failure of the agricultural season, on which thousands of families depend for their daily sustenance and livelihoods."
Farmer Abdul Wahab Muhammad Nour said that the drought affecting the entire Matouq Agricultural Division, which includes Office 65 Kartoub—an inspection office located only 23 kilometres from the 24 Qurashi City, one of the major administrative sites in the Gezira Scheme and the Managil Extension—represents a major challenge impacting the lives of citizens. He pointed out that the proliferation of weeds and the accumulation of silt in the canals and channels was due to the failure to remove them and carry out periodic maintenance to ensure smooth irrigation for about three years.
Farmer Abdul Wahab said that the danger of drought threatens the residents of four villages in Office 65, which rely entirely on irrigation canals for their water supply (Kartoub, Abu Marikha, Wad Al-Ariki, and Umm Majika). This is due to the lack of wells, due to the groundwater being far below the surface and, in some areas, being more than 100 feet deep.
Muhammad Nour confirmed that irrigation water through the canals has not yet reached the area, despite the fact that autumn is halfway through, which ultimately means the failure of this years agricultural season.
