i

FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

SITUATION ANALYSIS REPORT

BLUE NILE STATE

February 2016

Khartoum SUDAN

The Food Security Policy and Strategy Capacity Building

Programme (FSPS CBP)

Prepared by El Fadil Ahmed Ismail, Ph D

ii

Acknowledgements

This food security situation analysis report came in concurrence with the Sudan’s celebration

by its 60th

anniversary of independence from British colonial in 1956. Many events have

passed since then and the hope to have Sudan free of poverty, illiteracy and social tensions

disparities, with physical and social infrastructure in place and to have a healthy and

sustainable environment remains in heart. Many Programmes contributed to food security and

the Food Security Policy and Strategy Capacity Building Programme (FSPS) is among them

striving its way ahead in the same direction. The FAO-FSPS Programme lead deserve being

thanked for initiating this comprehensive food security situation analysis to finalize its

objectively stated outputs and results for prosperous life and dignity of people in the State.

CHARLES AGOBIA, the Programme CTA and YERGALEM BERAKI, the Food Security

Information Specialist who are key drivers of this FAO-FSPS Programme deserve special

words of thanks for their guidance and keen interest in getting the comprehensive FSN SA

reports done within its time edge and quality. Their technical support during the preparatory

stages of the study framework and facilitation of logistics to perform the task made our trip

mission easier and achievable.

Special words of thanks go for FATIMA IBRAHIM, the FAO Policy Consultant for her

premium assistance in providing the necessary food security and nutrition policy materials

which gave the report the flavour. Thanks are also due to Mr. MOHMED MUFARAH,

MAHMOUD NOUMAN, ZAMZUM and MUBARAK AHMED for their valuable assistance in

trips organization. Again, my sincere appreciations extend to FAO for availing the logistics to

collect information for the study report and the drivers as well for their patience across the

round trips from Red Sea, Kassala, Gedaref and Blue Nile States within a month time.

The consultant expresses his deepest gratitude of thanks to all those who kindly shared

information or provided documents during the various meetings, interviews and Focussed

Group Discussions made with the consultant. Special words of thanks go for the Director

Generals and heads of General Directorates of the concerned food security sister line

ministries and institutions in the four states and the federal level as well. A list of all who

have contributed to this report is made as an annex and our apology is given in advance for

those who have not been mentioned in name.

The support given by the Programme National Coordinator and SFSTS members in the state

is highly acknowledged and appreciated without whom it could have been difficult to achieve

within the given time border.

Consultant

El Fadil Ahmed Ismail,

Research Professor

Food Research Centre, Khartoum North

February, 2016

Disclaimer: the consultant’s analysis and views expressed in this assignment report do not

necessarily reflect the views of the Food and Agriculture Organization or Government of Sudan.

iii

Table of contents Acknowledgement and Disclaimer ii

Table of Contents iii

List of Acronyms iv

List of Tables, Figures vi

List of Annexes and important conversion factors vii

Executive Summary viii

1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Introduction, Objectives and Scope of the Report 1

1.2 Methodology and Approach 2

1.3 Limitations and lessons Learned 4

2 STATES ENVIRONMENT, POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT

INDICATORS

5

2.1 The Physical Environment 5

2.2 Population and Demographic Features 7

2.3 State Human Development Indicators 9

3 THE FOOD SECURITY SITUATION IN THE STATE 11

3.1 Availability of food and drinking water 11

3.1.1 Availability of food 11

3.1.2 Availability of Drinking water for Human and Animals 23

3.2 Access to food and water 25

3.3 Food utilization 27

3.4 Stability of availability of and access to food 34

3.5 Food Balance Sheet (for last two years at least) 36

4 FOOD SECURITY COORDINATION MECHANISMS AND POLICY

ENVIRONMENT

38

4.1 Food security and nutrition Inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms and

institutional setups

38

4.2 Previous food security and economic development polices 39

4.3 Existing food security related sector policies, strategies, and programmes 40

4.4 Implementation status of food security policies, strategies, and programmes 40

4.5 Challenges and constraints related to policy development and implementation 41

5 CONCLUSION 44

5.1 Specific conclusions, recommendations and the way forward 44

5.2 Conclusions and recommendations: Issues of general concern 50

GLOSSARY AND DEFINITIONS 52

REFERENCES 55

ANNEXES 58

iv

ACRONYM AND ABBREVIATIONS

BMR Basal Metabolic Rate

CBO Community-Based Organization

CFSAM Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission

EFSA Emergency Food and Nutrition Security (EFSA) Conceptual Framework

EU European Union

EWS Early warning System

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

FDGs Focus Group Discussions

FFSTS Federal Food Security Technical Secretariat

SFSTS State Food Security Technical Secretariat

FIC Feinstein International Centre. University of Tufts, USA

FS Food Security

FSC Food Security Committee

FSNTWGs Food Security and Nutrition Technical Working Groups(State level)

FSPS Food Security Policy and Strategy Capacity Development Programme

GAM Global Acute Malnutrition

HAC Humanitarian Aid Commission

HDI Human Development Index

HEA Household Economy Analysis

HES Household Economy Survey

HFSNC Higher Food Security & Nutrition Council (Sudan)

HYV High Yielding Variety

ICZ Inter-tropical Convergence Zone

IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development

INGOs International Non-Governmental Organization

IPC Integrated Food Security Phase Classification

Km Kilometre

LFPs Locality Focal Persons

MAM Moderate Acute Malnutrition

MoA Ministry of Agriculture &Forestry

MoARF Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries

MoE Ministry of Education

MoFEP Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning

MoH Ministry of Health

MoSFW Ministry of Social & Family Welfare

MT Metric Tonne

MUAC Mid Upper Arm Circumference

NFIs Non Food Items

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

NFBS National Food balance Sheet

SAM Severe Acute Malnutrition

SDG Sudanese Pounds

S3M Simple Spatial Surveying Methodology

PAL Physical Activity Level

PPP Public Private Partnership

SDG Sudanese pound

SFSTS State Food Security Technical Secretariat

v

SIFSIA N Sudan Institutional Capacity Programme: Food Security Information for

Action

SMART Specific, Measurable, Accurate, Realistic and Time Bound

SPCRP MP Sudan Productive Capacity Recovery Model projects

SPGS Strategic Planning General Secretariat, a non-ministerial public institution

quasi- government institutions at the state level

SRC Sudanese Red Crescent

SRCo Strategic Reserve Corporation

SSMO Sudanese Standard Metrology Organization

SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (Analytical Tool)

TLU Tropical Livestock Unit

ToRs Terms of Reference(s)

UN United Nations

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

UNICEF United Nations children Fund

USD US Dollars

Wali State Governor

WHH Welthungerhilfe (German Agro action)

WFP World Food Programme

WHO World Health Organization

vi

List of Tables and Figures

Table 2.1-a: Components of Human Development Indicators by 4 states (UNDP 2012) 9

Table 2.1-b: Components of Human Development Index by 4 states (UNDP 2012) 10

Table 2.1-c: Gender gaps in Human Development Index by 4 states (UNDP 2012) 10

Table 3.1-a: Statistics of 10 years average areas and production of some minor crops in

Blue Nile, 2005-2015

13

Table 3.1-b: Production (000 MT & areas planted by food crops in Blue Nile State (‘000’

feddan)

14

Table 3.2: Horticultural areas before and after Rosaries dam heightening 15

Table 3.3: The Number of Livestock (000) in Blue Nile State by head count and TLU

(2015)

17

Table 3. 4: Average household consumption of milk products in B. Nile state (Kg), 2010 19

Table 3.5: Statistics reflecting average prices of sorghum and millet (SDG/MT) and

their dispersions in Damazin Crop Market over the period 2010-2015

21

Table 3.6: Estimated amount of rainfall water and its drainage to Nile tributaries (BCM) 23

Table 3.7: Average quantity of water produced by locality in Blue Nile state, 2013 24

Table 3.8: WHO Standard Classification of Severity of Malnutrition 27

Table 3.9: Some malnutrition and health indicators (CU5& HH data), B. Nile state 2013 28

Table 3.10: Current situation of health services in Blue Nile state. 2015 33

Table 3.11: Aggregate Food Balance Sheet (000 MT) B. Nile State for the period 2010-

2015

37

List of Figures

Fig. 2.1 Main livelihoods of HH individuals in Blue Nile Based on 2008 population

census

6

Fig. 2.2-a: Blue Nile State population by mode of living 2015 (extrapolated based on

fifth Population Census of 2008)

8

Fig.2.2-b: Households by mode of living (Total Blue Nile State) 9

Fig.2.2-c: Percent of males to females in Blue Nile state according to the fifth

population census 2008

9

Fig. 3.1: Land use pattern in Blue Nile state 12

Fig. 3.2: Sorghum cultivated, harvested and non-harvested areas (Fed.) in B. Nile

state during the period 2005/6- 2014/2015

12

Fig. 3.3: Comparison between areas grown by sesame, sunflower and sorghum (Fed.)

over the period 2006-2015

13

Fig. 3.4: The number of slaughtered animals by type in 2013 and 2014 19

Fig. 3.5: Average per day income levels (SDG) obtained by fishermen in different

locations

20

Fig. 3.6: Prices of sorghum and millet in Damazin Crop Market in SDGs

/MT(2010/11-2014/15)

22

Fig. 3.7: Prices of vegetable oils and Roselle in DCM in SDGs /MT (2010/11-

2014/15

22

Fig. 3.8 Animal head counts and the required drinking water (CM) in B. Nile state

(CM/year) excluding rainy season

24

Fig.3.9: Net available drinking water by locality in B. Nile state (CM/year) 25

Fig. 3.10: Number of students/pupils benefiting from the school feeding Programme

prior 2011 events

30

vii

List of Annexes

Annex 1.1: Terms of Reference for the assignment: Food Security Policy and Strategy

Capacity Building Programme (FSPS)

58

Annex 1.2: Schedules and Work Plan 60

Annex 1.3: List of People met 62

Annex 2.1 Description of the vegetation cover in Blue Nile state 63

Annex 2.2-a: Storage capacity, average size of facility by states 64

Annex 2.2-b: Description of Warehouse Ownership by the 4 States 64

Annex 2.3-a: Comparative view of Human Development Index and its components, 2013 65

Annex 2.3-b: Development of Sudan’s Human Development Index over the period 1980-

2013

65

Annex 2.3-c: Rural Household Income according to SPCRP survey 2009 66

Annex 2.4: Computation of HDI as shown by UNDP (2012): Adapted from UNDP

(2012)

66

Annex 3.1-a: Household average food items consumption in Blue Nile 2010 68

Annex 3.1-b Average household consumption of vegetables in Blue Nile state, 2010 68

Annex 3.1-c Per capita average annual consumption of meat in rural and urban areas 68

Annex 3.2-a: Quantity produced, available, loss and consumed in litres/person/day 69

Annex 3.2-b: Estimated drinking water for livestock 69

Annex 3.3: Global stunting, wasting and MUAC and sanitation conditions by state 70

Important crop and cereal conversion factors used in Sudan

One hectare (ha) = 2.381 Feddan = 2.476 acres

One Makhamas (local unit in Kordofan (ma) = 1.73 Feddan

One US $= 6.1 Sudanese Pounds (SDG) 2015

One kantar = 44.628 kg.

Units of food crops

One sack of sorghum feterita equals to 91.5 kg, mugud type 88 kg, and white sorghum

varieties 94.35 kg.

One sack groundnuts in shell = 45 kg. may reach 50-58 kg

One sack of sesame = 73.7 kg.

One sack groundnuts shelled (magshoor) = 100-110 kg.

One sack of millet = 94.35 kg.

One ardab = two sacks of equivalent food grains (sorghum, millet, etc)

One kela = 12.58-11.83 kg for millet and most of sorghum varieties.

One kela = 9.83 kg for sesame and 6 kg for groundnuts in shell.

One kela = four malwas; which approximates to 3.15-2.96 kg for millet and most of sorghum

varieties.

The term Rayka in Kordofan is equivalent to one sorghum sack.

The term “Mod” in Kordofan is equivalent to one malwa

viii

EXCUTIVE SUMMARY

ES1 The main objective of this report is to produce a comprehensive document that analyses

the current FSN situation and general trends of food security and nutrition in Blue Nile

State for both policy advocacy and programming. The scope of the report is confined to

the guidelines given by the ToRs and relies largely on secondary information sources in

addition to interviews with essential stakeholders.

ES2 The FSN Situation Analysis (SA) was carried out in December, 2015, with assistance and

collaboration with counterpart of concerned sister line ministries, institutions and several

partner agencies involved in food security and nutrition across the state. The purpose of

the assessment was to gather information required for food security and nutrition situation

analysis using secondary information, eye observation and experts’ judgement. The FSN-

based analysis provided “a snap-shot” of the food security situation in the state within a

reasonable 5 years time span as well as long term anticipations for years to come. This

food security analysis followed standardized approaches used by FAO/WFP commonly

known as Crop and Food Security Assessment Missions (CFSAMs) and the Integrated

Food Security Classification Phase (IPC).

ES3 The findings of the secondary assessment information indicated a non-comfortable FSN

situation across the state over the periods 2010 and onwards. The food security situation

of larger portions of the state (war affected areas) remains fragile and cannot be

maintained for security reasons. This group of people may struggle hard to meet their

minimal food requirements through the end of the year 2015, thus remain highly

vulnerable to shocks that could push them back to food insecurity crisis if no appropriate

support is urgently provided. Areas and populations of concern according to UNICEF

S3M survey (2013) and the recent reports of the MoH include Giessan, Kurmuk, Bao, and

Rosaries localities. These areas experienced severe food insecurity and malnutrition as

indicated by the recent nutrition survey.

ES4 On the availability level, the state’s cereal Balance Sheet simulation model (SFBS)

showed that production in Blue Nile state is insufficient to meet its domestic requirement

and will not be able to cover cereal requirements for marketing year 2015/2016, unless

gaps are covered by wheat and wheat flour imports from Khartoum or Gezira. The

estimated trade flows, suggest: 65 thousand to 39 thousand MT of cereals (mainly wheat,

wheat flour or sorghum) will be needed to meet state’s requirement. A substantial

proportion of the deficit is assumed available in conventional warehouses and or on-farm

underground pits. However, the poor rains in the western and southern parts of Blue Nile

state may contribute to water shortages, resulting in poor livestock performance and

reduced access to milk.

ES5 On the nutritional side, and despite the partial coverage of the UNICEF S3M survey, the

key findings indicated that all localities of Blue Nile State have a stunting rate classified

as high (above 30%) whereas 3 of the 6 localities have a severe acute malnutrition rate

(measured by MUAC) that is classified as very critical (above 3%) namely Rosaries, Bao

and Giessan locality. During the period 2010-2014, infant mortality has fallen from 71 to

57 deaths per 1,000 live births, and neonatal mortality from 36 to 33 (UNICEF 2014). In

summary, the overall situation is worrying and the efforts toward the achievement of

MDGs should continue in Blue Nile as all results indicated prevalence of malnutrition as a

result of chronic food insecurity rather than acute food insecurity.

ES6 However, current information based on results of July 2015 CNS Round described the

nutrition status in Blue Nile state as critical. The GAM and SAM recorded an average of

8.9% and 1.0% respectively (MoH 2015). Nutrition status in this month is significantly

ix

raised compared to last round as GAM rate increased from 27.8% in last round to 31.7 in

this round. This may be due to displacement of population from Bao locality to Damazin

and Rosaries localities

ES7 Official reports enumerated different factors contributing to affect the health and Nutrition

situation in the state, particularly, the household food insecurity, and lack of infrastructure

including health services, lack of trained staff as well as the poor health education level.

The FSN situation analysis suggested some short and medium term recommendations for

enhancing the FSN in the state beside other long term recommendations. The strongest

recommendation for the state government is to invest in the health sector, increase

nutritional awareness, improve sanitation practices (such as hand washing, breast feeding

and water treatment) and provide access to proper sanitation facilities to rural populations.

ES8 Despite these shortcomings, a lot of opportunities are available to improve the FSN

situation as Blue Nile state has been endowed with diverse ecological zone – high

potential to grow diverse agricultural and horticultural crops throughout year (dry farming

and irrigated) besides a high potential for forest products (Acacias spp. for gum Arabic,

fruits of Ziziphus spine christi and Balanitis aegyptiaca). To foster FSN objectives, the

vast potentially fertile soils to the southern parts of the state can be invested by the private

sector through joint PPPs, particularly those interested in food security and nutrition. Such

public private partnerships (PPP) require leadership, enabling investment environment and

be initiated and consolidated by a unique investment map.

ES9 Since Blue Nile state has an investment map, it just requires strengthening the system for

food security mapping and or initiating and strengthening the existing structures (up to

locality level). Such a system shall serve as a basis for promotion of food security and

development interventions. In this respect, there are basis for Baseline information on

nutrition status and food security– information are available but need to be structured

through a system. That is to say, soft and hardware systems are to be strengthened through

this FAO FSPS Programme or any other FSN Programme to support food security at

large.

ES10 In addition, the state has to formulate appropriate strategies, approaches and programmes

to increase domestic food availability –crop and livestock & fisheries- not only through

conventional farming methods but also have to induce technological changes that

increases livestock, fisheries as well as crop productivity using improved cultivars and

high yielding varieties (HYV). Improving connectivity (road, rail and air freight) to

increase market access and simultaneously reduce transaction costs of both market inputs

and outputs is also crucial.

ES11 On the policy side, the FSN SA concluded through a thorough analysis of the state’s FSN

policy that, there are still some identified key policy gaps that may exist because of,

among other things, persistent lack of understanding of food security dimensions by some

key stakeholders. In addition, there are also poor mainstreaming of food security and

nutrition into the state’s policy documents, programmes and projects, particularly the

gender policy issues and concerns relating to nutrition. This may be due to lack of

integration of food security considerations within the existing policy processes, including

coordination and institutional mechanisms at the national and state levels. The capacity of

stakeholders to address food security issues needs to be strengthened and FSN institutions

are to be empowered to realize the FSN policy objectives in Blue Nile state.

1

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1. Introduction, Objectives and Scope of the Report

The Food Security Policy and Strategy Capacity Building Programme (FSPS) was designed to

support four state governments among them stand Blue Nile state. The support was intended

to address the capacity gaps related to: (a) food security inter-sectoral institutional

coordination framework, food security policy and information system; and (b) the line

ministries’ policy planning, budgeting, monitoring and implementation capacity1.

This report is intended to provide Food Security and Nutrition Situation Analysis for Blue

Nile State and consequently produce a comprehensive document in this regard. Similar

comprehensive reports shall also be prepared for the states of Kassala, Red Sea and Gedaref;

the main domains for the FAO-FSPS CB Programme. These FSN SA reports come in

response to the scheduled periodical assessments and analysis of status of each of the four

pillars that constitute the food and nutrition security and help identifying gaps and trend

changes and other FSN issues that need policy attention.

The report is designed in such a way to encompass the dimensions of food and nutrition

security and the policy and programming environment in historical perspective(s) thus help

policy informed decisions and shall be a reference material for concerned authorities as well.

For this purpose, the FSN Situation Analysis (hereto after referred to as FSN SA) shall

provide adequate, well analysed data and evidence-based information to help policy makers,

decision takers, investors and development partners in making actionable decisions before

dispersing valuable resources on the ground.

The scope of the study is confined to the guidelines given by the ToR (Annex 1.1). The ToR,

which was developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

(FAO)/Sudan FSPS Capacity Building Programme, relies largely on secondary information

sources in addition to interviews with key stakeholders (Annex 1.2&Annex 1.3). Noteworthy

is that, an in-depth assessment that depends on primary data through Household Economy

Surveys (HEA), which requires a rigorous methodology for collecting more substantial

quantified information, is not followed in this study for the approach is time-consuming and

require huge budget for implementation2. The ToR required the following deliverables/

outputs:

i) A comprehensive draft report that describes the food security and nutrition situation

(FSN SA). The report will focus and follow the guideline referenced in the ToR (see

attached Annex I.1).

ii) A mini debriefing workshop in the state and one workshop in Khartoum organised,

iii) A final report that incorporate all comments and suggestions by the PSU, TSU and

other stakeholders in the State and Khartoum level.

1 FSPS is a three-year programme funded by the European Union (EU) and is being implemented by the Food

and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Government of the Republic

of the Sudan.

2 The scope of the study is delimited by time and further characterized by the specificity of the ToRs. For such

food security and livelihood systems analysis the scope and limitations of the conventional approaches are

usually considered and emphasized.

2

1.2. Methodology and Assignment Approach

Desk reviews and consultation with key stakeholders is used as a main approach3in this

assignment report. The information expected from the situation analysis include, among other

things, agricultural and livestock production and other relevant statistics that include major

crops and livestock types and their contribution as a means of income and food at household

level. Moreover, source of food and income, multiyear price patterns of major food

commodities, malnutrition rate in multiple years, and food security policy environment are of

the issues addressed in the FSN situation analysis report. The report is expected to be an

important document that serves as reference material for any food security related

development intervention in Blue Nile State.

a) Methodology used for carrying out the FSN SA Assignments Classification C)

The assignment report shall triangulate various approaches to achieve its objective. The

methodology follows the guidelines of the FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment

Missions (CFSAMs) (FAO/WFP 2009 & WFP et al 2009) and the Sudan’s Integrated

Classification Phase (IPC)4. Market analysis approach that involves, market’s structure,

conduct, and market integration and performance shall be used to analyze the market

situation, with particular emphasis on prices and price hikes, trends and shifts. The WFP

EFSA5 nutrition and food security conceptual framework(s) shall frequently be used with

some modifications to meet the ToR’s objectives.

Taking into account the scope of the ToR for working up this FSN SA, and considering the

report outlines given by this ToR, and understanding the particular characteristics of the needs

of the FSN situation analysis; the following set of tasks needs to be accomplished by the

consultant and are considered important:

1. Assess available FSN data and analyze it, including the findings of previous

assessments already undertaken –either by FAO or other UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs,

and Government studies;

2. Conduct debriefings with essential stakeholders for the purpose of information

verification;

3. Conduct interviews with a wide range of stakeholders and key informants in FSN

domains and compile secondary information on their FSN related tasks;

4. Compare results of previous estimates to check with available ones and, if necessary,

adjust existing estimates on crop production for the forthcoming harvest, stocks, and

current and expected levels of household food insecurity in the targeted state;

5. Synthesize and triangulate data from a wide range of data sources, including own

observations and findings in a concise manner to achieve the study and report

objectives;

3 This situation analysis included, a literature desk review of almost 75 key documents and meeting

presentations, Key informant interviews with several stakeholders, including site visits (ministries, FSN

institutions, UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs/CBOs) in addition to information gathered during various meetings in

Khartoum. Input from orientation and consensus meetings on the findings of the preliminary situation analysis

done through debriefing workshops in the state and final workshop will be organized in Khartoum.

4IPC is a classification system for food security and humanitarian crisis situations based on a number of selected

outcome indicators of human welfare (mortality rates, nutritional status, food availability/access, water

availability and quality, security, etc.). It is a tool for meta-analysis of information from different sectors. This

type of analysis has the potential to render assessment findings more consistent, comparable, transparent and

easier to communicate.

5 Emergency Food and Nutrition Security (EFSA) Conceptual Framework

3

6. Make evidence-based judgments on the food security situation and the likely

scenarios for the coming year(s); and

7. Formulate policy recommendations on food security situation/assistance and foresee

specific responses to be taken by state or federal government,

8. Finalize checklist/formats and procedures for data collection.

b) Methodology and Methods used for Data Collection and Analysis

A variety of methods is used for analyzing data relating to FSN, basically the measures of

central tendency and measures of dispersion and other descriptive tools. Therefore, data from

all sources shall be triangulated and details of the analyses of agricultural production, market

conditions, and the preparation of staple food balance sheets are key indicators in this

concern. As the household food security situation is time constrained by the ToR, therefore,

information could only be assessed based on proxy indicators of food consumption from

secondary sources, whenever/wherever applicable (diet diversity, food frequency, or a coping

strategies index)6.

Important is the level of credibility of the already-available data on various aspects of the food

security and nutrition a matter that requires review and/or preliminary analysis of secondary

data/ information available by the state. For this reason, the available data will be critically

examined for consistency, calculation errors, data collection methodology, gaps in the

coverage of areas or population groups, and the credibility of the findings by secondary

sources. Therefore, an evaluation of each secondary data source and reported finding for: the

data collection techniques used; the manner in which the techniques were applied with

particular attention to the adequacy and reliability of data; - the geographic area and/or

population groups covered; and whether the reported findings appear to be reliable and

representative of the situation to avoid over- or under-estimations. In short, there will be three

phases for this assignment as follows (Annex 1.2):

i) The inception and Planning Phase in Khartoum

- Desk reviews as shown by ToR (see attached time schedules)

- Development of interview questionnaires and market condition/information templates

- Development of guidelines for SFSTS as a support staff on how to fill in the formats/

templates.

ii) Implementation Modalities and Implementation Plan

This phase is basically to put the outputs in the ToR into practice and involves but not limited

to the following (details are in the attached in annexes):

Assign tasks and activities from the ToR (generated assignment master plan) with

clear assignments and deadlines,

Design of templates,

Meet concerned authorities at the state (Ministry of MoA, Finance, MoH, MoE, etc.)

and compile primary and secondary information on situation of the FSN,

Move to states and collect information,

Visit one or more crop market(s) in each state and fill in form templates,

Meet INGOs working in FSN domains for assessing the FSN situation,

6 Noteworthy is that, the household economy rapid appraisals, and “food poverty” (purchasing power)

approaches require additional budget not available for this mission. There might be a vital need to follow the

findings and conclusions of recent household food security assessments and other secondary data (including

baseline data, recent nutritional surveillances/surveys.

4

Meet trade unions, farmer’s union for information on storage investments, capacities,

problems and prospects,

Any other issues related to FSN.

iii) Monitoring, Report Writing and Evaluation Phase

Ensure effective monitoring of data collection

Process data in spread sheet for analysis

Tabulation and Analysis of data

Consultant report

Workshops (states + Khartoum).

1.3. Limitations and lessons Learned

The report relied heavily on recent secondary information and interviews/Focus Group

Discussions for obtaining FSN data and information. However, the assignment is bounded by

the ToR. The given time frame gives no room for primary Households Economy Survey

(HES) and consequently bid limited7 Household Economy Analysis (HEA). In general, an in-

depth income, nutrition/consumption and income status analysis will be needed to fill in gaps

in future studies through well structured surveys/questionnaires in order to collect primary up-

to-date information/data through Household Economy Survey (HES), a prerequisite for

sufficient Households Economy Analysis (HEA).

Despite these limitations, this FSN SA has managed to provide a wide ranging and a multi-

dimensional review of FSN information over the past and current years.

7 However, the analytical basis for this report depends on secondary information, due to time available for the

assessment and the constraints to access to the various localities concerned. These factors affect the scope of

information that can be collected and the depth of the analysis.

5

2 STATES ENVIRONMENT, POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT

INDICATORS

2.1. The General Physical Environment

a) General description of the location, ecosystems & agro climatic zones, soil types,

and topography, etc.

Blue Nile state is located in the east of Sudan between latitudes 9° 30' and 13˚ 34' N and

longitudes 33˚ 8' and 35˚ 8' E. the state is circa 470 meter above the sea level. The state covers

an area of about 35,000 square kilometres (about 9.2 million feddan). The population is

estimated at 1.02 million in 2015 and at a density of 29 persons per km2 with a population

growth rate of 4.1%. The Blue Nile (An-Nil al-Azraq) State borders Ethiopia in south-eastern

Sudan and the South Sudan to the west and

south (formerly Upper Nile state). The state

also borders Sinnar state to the north and

Gezira and White Nile to the west. The

state’s name comes from the river that runs

through it, which is one of the main sources

of income and food to many people in the

state. The river also powers the Rosaries

hydro electrical power plant, which is a very

important source of electricity for Sudan.

Damazin is the capital of the state and

Rosaries is the second town.

The soil in the Blue Nile state is of higher

clay contents and strong vertiselic

characteristics i.e. dark cracking clay soil.

The State is endowed with natural pastures and plentiful water resources in depressions and

along running seasonal streams. Pasture lands extend over 2.1 million feddan, which is circa

23% of the total area of the State, particularly, savannah central clay plains, valleys and the

Ingessina Mountains. Stock routes, stretches for more than 2000 km in eight main routes

(masarat) four of them are on each side of the Blue Nile River. The traditional peasant

farmers usually grow sorghum, sesame, groundnuts, vegetables and fruits8 and nomadic tribes

keep animals such as cattle, goats, sheep and donkeys (ENTRO, 2006).

The state was divided into 6 localities, each with its own administrative units/centres9.

Legislatively there exists the so called Blue Nile State Legislative Assembly of 48 members

from different localities. In the Blue Nile state there is a diversity of ethnicity with many

tribes10

.

8 In Blue Nile state, the horticultural sector is comprised of three main sectors. The Northern sector and includes

gardens in the northern part of the state of 22,000 Feddan irrigated from the Blue Nile. The Southern sector

includes Kurmuk, Giessan and Bau and comprises about 46,000 Feddan along the Khors and irrigated by

Matarat wells. The Nile Basin sector comprises 36–46 thousand Feddan and spreads mainly along the Nile basin

in Damazin Roseries and Giessan localities. Mangoes in Metarat exceed that in gardens. Out of aforementioned

areas, the actually cropped area ranges between 12-14 thousand Feddan and will reach 70 thousand Feddan after

the dam is heightened by 2013.

9 There are now 7 localities. Wad Almahi Locality was curved out of Rosaries Locality in 2015.

10 Funj, Falata(Folani), Angasana, Housa, Berta, Gumuz, Brune, Arack, and Maban beside a number of Arab

tribes.

6

Agro-pastoralism is the dominating livelihood in the state where people in the northern part of

the state relies mostly on livestock and those on the southern part depends more on

agriculture. Agriculture is mainly small-scale and non-mechanized with the exception of some

large-scale semi-mechanized agricultural schemes11

in Damazin and Baw localities (WFP

2010).

Almost all agriculture is rain-fed, except for small gardens of sorghum and maize which are

commonly grown close to household dwellings. The agricultural year has one cropping

season, although some off-season cultivation of vegetables is done along seasonal and

permanent rivers, of which there are many and they also provide drinking water and fishing

opportunities as well. The southern part of the state shares many of the climatic properties of

Southern Sudan. Rains amount to 700 mm annually and normally starts from May to

September/October. The heavy rains usually impede road transport resulting in isolation of

many areas, leaving large populations cut off from markets, health care and other services.

Circa 24% of the state area is covered by forests, 2.7 million feddan, 99% of which is a state

property while the federal forest owns 1% (24

thousand feddan). Vegetation consists of

various trees, shrubs and grass species including

acacia communities in valleys and catchment

areas, woodland Savannah of grasses and

bushes (La’ot shrubs) with other major species

such as Acacia spp. (Acacia mellfera, nubica

and Acacia seyal) and seasonal grasslands.

(Annex 2.1).

As has been mentioned earlier, agriculture is the

mainstay of people in Blue Nile and supports

most of the people directly or indirectly; particularly the three-quarters of the population

living in rural areas, as illustrated below Fig. 2.1. More than 6 million feddan of arable land in

the state are underutilized and only 1.5 million feddan are under cultivation.

Fig. 2.1: Main livelihoods of HH individuals in Blue Nile

Based on 2008 population census

11

Mechanized farming was introduced into the State in 1970 with a farm in the range of 1000-1500 feddan each.

Crop farming

51%

Animal husbandry

6%

Wages and salaries

25%

Owned business

enterprises

14%

Property income

1%

Remittances 3%

Pension 0%

Aids 0%

Others 0%

7

b) State physical infrastructure:

Blue Nile is connected to the national road network (asphalt road passing through Sinnar to

Rabak, and from Damazin to Medani, the capital of White Nile and Gezira states. The internal

gravelled road network in Blue Nile extends for more than 868 km in all direction linking

agriculturally productive areas. Storage facilities, which are most important to food security in

the state, are seemingly inadequate. However, information on their number, capacity and

distribution is still important for food security planning. The most recent12

warehouse survey

was made by FAO SIFSIA N in 2011 and showed an estimated storage capacity of almost 80

thousand MT13

excluding the traditional and conventional vessels of less than 350 MT (Annex

2.2-a&b).

Unlike before, the Blue Nile state is currently disconnected from the Sudan’s 4,578 kilometres

of narrow-gauge, single-track railroads that serve the northern and central parts of the country.

Currently, no efforts to upgrade the rail transport that formerly passes across the state and the

commercial road transport are the mere carriers to food between production and consumption

centres. Blue Nile has an internationally recognizable airport yet the existing runways asphalt-

lines are with poor control tower, navigational equipment, and aeronautical communications

means.

Despite the fact that, Blue Nile state is facing a marked neglect in relation to infrastructure

development; which has largely discouraged the expansion of the agricultural production and

the other key sectors of the state’s economy, nevertheless, there used to be substantial amount

of trade between Sudan and Ethiopia originated at Gissan and Kurmuk Port, along the

Sudanese Ethiopian Borders, particularly before the 2011 events. Information available at the

Ministry of Finance, Investment and Economic Planning showed that incoming goods into

Sudan from Ethiopia are dominated by agricultural items as shall be seen elsewhere. The state

has the Blue Nile University and numerous education and health services infrastructures, in

terms of number, capacity and performance, etc, shall be tackled in details this in report where

appropriate.

2.2. Population and Demographic Features

Understanding the population dynamics and estimates are important for economic and social

planning and development as equal as for FSN concerns. Therefore, population statistics,

which depicts the size and composition of the population, is essential to estimate its food

needs, health and education needs as well. Official population data by locality is used in this

report to reflect the trends in population dynamics, particularly for FSN purposes. Population

12 There were some previous studies on storage facilities in Sudan dated to 1988 and 1997. According to the

1997 warehouse study, an overall grain storage capacity of 9.4 million MT12 was estimated for all the 15

Northern States of Sudan, out of which, 8.5 million MT capacity stores are labelled as modern and 210,000 MT capacity as silos (100 thousand MT in Gedaref and 50 thousand MT silo is in Port Sudan at the Red Sea) and the

rest as traditional store structures. In the 1997’s report, these stores are widely dispersed across the country but

Khartoum and Red Sea have been taking the largest share (with 1.2 million MT and 4.8 million MT respectively)

that is almost 70% of the total modern stock in the 15 northern states of the country. Another study conducted 25

years ago (1988) also showed similar results (FAO-SIFSIA N 2011). However, these figures need to be updated

in order to match with current changes in the storage sector in the state.

13 The survey of 2011 covered storage facilities/vessels greater than 500 metric ton. The assessment survey

showed a total estimated grain holding capacity of 3.61 million metric tons warehouses in the 15 Northern

States. According to the survey, there is no consistent pattern of warehouse sizes in a predetermined architecture

– the owners use their own criteria for the size of the facility to build. The largest warehouse sizes were found in

Red Sea and Khartoum a state which goes as high as 30,000 in Red Sean and 28,800 in Khartoum. Big milling

companies, such as Syga, Wheata and Seen use these large warehouse facilities to store wheat and wheat flour

imports (FAO-SIFSIA N 2011).

8

numbers are extrapolated using information obtained from the fifth Census of 2008 to mirror

the current situation (CBS 2010).

The estimated number of people in Blue Nile state has reached 1.1 million by mid 201514

at a

growth rate of 4.1% per annum15

. Distribution of residents by locality is given in the

subsequent figures shown below and assessment by tribe and ethnicity were given where

appropriate in this report16

.

On average, 24%, 72% and 4% of the population in Blue Nile State are considered as urban,

rural, and nomads respectively (Fig.2.2-a,b). The average number of households in the state

accounted to 5 individuals. Interesting is that, the average number of households in urban

areas (Alrosairis and Aldamazeen) is almost one person per household compared to 6 in rural

areas and 8 individuals for nomadic dwellers. The less number of family members in

Alrosairis and Aldamazeen is attributable to the fact that household heads keep their families

away in other states, than being with them for security reasons or perhaps are mostly single/

unmarried.

Fig. 2.2-a: Blue Nile State population by mode of living 2015 (extrapolated based on fifth

Population Census of 2008)

According to the recent population census of 2008, the state has an overwhelmingly young

population, with around 45 percent under the age of 15. Those who lie within the productive age

of employment (15-65 years of age) account for almost 50% of the total population. Although this

information relate to 2008 population census, nevertheless, shall be used in the forthcoming

sections to analyze the food security/insecurity situation and population vulnerability profiles

will be obtained, analyzed propagated and forecasted. Data on males and females composition

shall also be used to assess the gender gaps in HDI (Fig. 2.2.-c)

14 Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1

to t, expressed as a percentage. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of

asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of the country of origin World Bank definition

2014).

15 Extrapolations based on the fifth population census of 2008 (CBS 2009).

16 Increase or decrease in number of people in any state might be due to internal migration rather than natural

increase.

74719

181219

0

0

0

9079

188362

99613

99985

156376

107658

132334

11627

972

2911

12208

8672

5396

0 20000 40000 60000 80000 100000 120000 140000 160000 180000 200000

Alrosairis

Aldammazeen

Altadamon

Baaw

Geesan

Alkurmook

Nomads 2015 Rural 2015 Urban 2015

9

Source: Based on statistics obtained from CBS, Fifth Population Census, 2008.

2.3. State Human Development Indicators

The Human Development Index (HDI17

) is an important indicator that has been globally used-

since 1990- to measure progress using a composite index of life expectancy, years of

schooling (education attainment) and income. In this concern, Sudan showed a modest HDI

(0.473) in year 2013 (ranking as number 166) compared to 0.600 for Egypt (ranking 110) and

0.944 for Norway (ranking as number one globally) 18

(UNDP 2014 see Annex 2.3-a, b, c).

At the sub-country level, that is to say, the states level, the UNDP (2012) has elaborated on

data from the fifth national population census (2008) to come up with HDI for 15 northern

states. Some of these parameters and indices are shown in Table 2.1-a&b19

for Eastern states,

namely Red Sea, Kassala, Gedaref and Blue Nile state as well. In its report, the UNDP human

development Report (2012), Khartoum state is leading all other states in human development

(HDI=0.706), with regard to education, and life expectancy as reflected by the health service

provided (Table 2.1-a&b), education attainment and income indicators. However, all states in

Sudan, including the 4 states (Red Sea, Kassala, Gedaref, and Blue Nile) are characterized by

medium human development (Table 2.1-b).

Table 2.1-a: Components of Human Development Indicators by 4 states (UNDP 2012)

State

Adult

literacy rate

Life

expectancy at

birth

Primary

education

enrolment rate

Secondary

education

enrolment rate

Gross national

income (GNI)

per capita ($)

Red Sea 71.5 59 53.5 27.1 2128

Kassala 70.1 58.7 60 38.6 2068

Gedaref 60.5 59.8 55.6 36.3 2288

Blue Nile 62.9 57.2 50.5 44.3 1768

Source: UNDP Study (2012) Sudan National Human Development Report 2012. Geography of peace: Putting

human development at the centre of peace in Sudan

17 The Human Development Index (HDI) is a comparative measure of life expectancy, Illiteracy (education) and

standards of living for countries worldwide. It is a standard means of measuring well-being, especially child

welfare (UNDP 2014 & UNDP 2012). Norway is classified as very high human development; Egypt falls in

medium human development countries while Sudan is considered in the countries of low human development

(UNDP 2014).

18 The lowest regional HDI values are for Sub-Saharan Africa (0.502) and South Asia (0.588), and the highest is

for Latin America and the Caribbean (0.740), followed closely by Europe and Central Asia (0.738) (UNDP

2014.

19 The computation of HDI is simple but requires sufficient data with accuracy and consistency (details on the

methods used are attached in Annex 2.4.

9,921

23,666

0 0 0 1,360

24,476

13,085

13,521 19,564 15,840 20,073

1,299 116 275 1,135 924 468

Alrosairis Aldammazeen Altadamon Baaw Geesan Alkurmook

Fig. 2.2-b: Households by mode of living (Total Blue Nile

State)

Urban Rural Nomad

10

In Blue Nile state, the adult literacy rate was the lower than Red Sea and Kassala states (62.9) but

still higher than Gedaref. Gross national income per capita was found $ 1768 per annum while life

expectancy at birth reached 57.2 the lowest among the other mentioned states.

With a human development index (HDI) of 0.531 in 2008, Blue Nile state is ranked well below

Khartoum and Gezira states. This HDI for Blue Nile (0.531) is by far less than that of

Khartoum (0.706) which registered faster gains in recent years compared to other states.

Table 2.1.-b: Components of Human Development Index by 4 states (UNDP 2012)

State

Longevity

index

Education attainment

index

Income

index

Human Development Index

(HDI)

Red Sea 0.567 0.611 0.511 0.563

Kassala 0.562 0.632 0.506 0.566

Gedaref 0.580 0.557 0.523 0.553

Blue Nile 0.537 0.577 0.48 0.531

Source: UNDP Study (2012) Sudan National Human Development Report 2012. Geography of peace: Putting

human development at the centre of peace in Sudan

The slowed down HDI in Blue Nile is noticeably due to less household incomes ($ 1768 per

capita), less life expectancy as due to less health service (spread of diseases, stresses) and low

nutrition status compared to developing countries as shown somewhere else (Annex 2.3-a, b,

c). Despite achievement in primary education in Blue Nile state, which is slightly above

average; yet, the overall HDI is around (0.531) compared to Khartoum which is about 0.706.

Important to notice is that, gender gaps in HDI of males and females is quite evident in Blue

Nile state accounting to 0.113 same as Red Sea (Table 2.1-c). Whereas all of the four states

registered above average HDI for males, this ratio is below average for females in Blue Nile,

Gedaref and Red Sea State as well (Table 1.4)

Table 2.1-c: Gender gaps in Human Development Index by 4 states (UNDP 2012)

State Male HDI Female HDI Gender Gap (HDI)

Red Sea 0.608 0.495 0.113

Kassala 0.602 0.507 0.095

Gedaref 0.602 0.483 0.119

Blue Nile 0.574 0.461 0.113

Source: UNDP Study (2012) Sudan National Human Development Report 2012. Geography of peace: Putting human development at the centre of peace in Sudan

11

3 THE FOOD SECURITY SITUATION IN THE STATE

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious

food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life (FAO

World Food Summit 1996: FAO 2010). The concept of food security has four pillars

(availability, access, utilization and stability). The issue of food security is multidimensional;

multi-sectoral and varies tremendously across nations, social groups and time20

. In this section

the food security situation, the annual requirement and food gaps in the Blue Nile State shall

be elaborated and thoroughly described –of course not in isolation from the other states- based

on various assessment reports (past 3-5 years). The annual Crop and Food Security

Assessment Mission (CFSAM) reports, the state reports, UN agency Reports and INGOs

reports are main entry points for this analysis.

The Blue Nile state is one of the war affected areas and has experienced several conflicts over

the last decades, which has impacted its traditional rural livelihood systems, particularly areas

of Kurmuk, Bao and Gissan21

. The situation has even been exacerbated by recent war

outbreak (2011), which created recurrent food security problems and a situation of chronic

structural poverty for many of the Blue Nile inhabitants, particularly rural areas.

Recent reports showed variable degrees of spread of poverty and malnutrition as a result of

food insecurity and unemployment, low levels of education, insufficient access to safe

drinking water across the localities as well as high gender disparities. Ministry of Social

Welfare addressed the vulnerability of families in the state and its reports showed thousand

trapped in absolute poverty22

and hunger (World Bank 2011). This situation is not in isolation

from other states in the region. The climate change, affected precipitation in terms of

frequency, distribution, intensity and distribution of rainfall that have had adverse effect on

food production, crop failure, and consequently affect livestock.

3.1 Availability of food and drinking water

3.1.1 Availability of food

A. Status of agricultural production

i) Agricultural land, major crops grown and production estimates

Agriculture represents the backbone of the Blue Nile state economy together with mining,

fishing and livestock keeping. The state’s cultivable lands occupy 6 million feddan23

, of

which only 1.5 million is under direct cultivation (Fig. 3.1). 725 thousand feddan of the

cultivated area is under demarcated mechanized rain fed farming (45%) while 700,000 is

under non-demarcated land traditionally grown by small scale farmers. Major crops grown are

sorghum, millet, sesame, groundnuts, and sunflowers. Following the heightening of Rosaries

dam, horticultural cultivable areas increased from 96 thousand feddan to 175 thousand feddan

along the Blue Nile River and other seasonal khors. However, less than 50% of horticultural

land is currently under cultivation. In addition, 19% of the state’s area is considered range

lands (1.7 million feddan) while 24% of the state area is under forests (Fig. 3.1).

20 These factors can be grouped in three clusters, 1) overall socio-economic, political and natural environment, 2)

performance of the food economy, and 3) household level food security influenced by livelihood assets and

activities, care practices, and health and sanitation conditions (FAO/FIVIMS Framework FAO 2010).

21 Following the CPA, the Blue Nile state has got special provisions for being one of the Transitional Three Areas.

22 Based on the NBHS (2009), the World Bank study and analysis of poverty in Sudan showed poverty headcount

rate as 57% in Blue Nile State (WB 2011: Table A1: Household Characteristics by Location and State. 23 One feddan equals approximately 0.42 ha and one ha=2.381 feddan.

12

6.5

2.7

1.5

2.1

0.7 0.8

0.2

Arable land forest cultivated land pasture&range land

mechanized farming

traditional farming

horticultural crops

Fig. 3.1: Land use pattern in Blue Nile state

The mechanized rain fed; the traditional and the horticultural sub-sectors contributed variably

to the livelihoods of the Blue Nile residents. However, most of the area remained out of

utilization for many reasons, of which instability is one main reason. Horticultural production

along the Blue Nile and Khors is less than 200 thousand feddan despite the substantial

potential after dam heightening (Fig. 3.1). Forestry products, particularly gum from acacia

forests and other trees is a considerable livelihood activity of rural people in the state.

Areas cropped with sorghum and other main food crops to that harvested have been variably

affected over the last decade due to erratic fluctuation in rainfall in terms of distribution,

intensity and quantity (Fig. 3.2).

Coefficient of variation showed more than 31% variation in areas cropped with sorghum over

the period 2006-2015 the same as variations of areas harvested (31%). However, the ratio

between areas harvested to that cropped showed a wide difference in the range between 78%

(in 2015) and 91% in season 2008-2009 indicating reliable agricultural performance. The

variations with respect to sesame and sunflowers areas is even greater than that of sorghum,

where drastic variation in areas cropped to that harvested over the same period is also

prevalent and these variations averaged to 81% for sesame area and 56% for sunflower.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Non-harvested 76173 214951 86533 55000 345936 108420 285993 305484 215479 277867

Harvested 607691 647000 289233 565000 564000 886883 616299 957263 861616 982334

Cultivated area 683864 861951 375766 620000 909936 995303 902292 1262747 1077095 1260201

0 200 400 600 800

1000 1200 1400

Fed

dan

Th

ou

san

ds

Fig. 3.2: Sorghum cultivated, harvested and non-harvested areas

(Fed.) in B. Nile state during the period 2005/6- 2014/2015

13

Source: State Ministry of Agriculture, Blue Nile (2015)

607691

647000

289233

565000

564000

886883

616299

957263

861616

982334

280000

164679

125000

185000

112876

318477

192517

472000

189478

472021

60000

45057

47105

270000

37375

50283

116109

152000

51348

62123

0 200000 400000 600000 800000 1000000 1200000

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Fig. 3.3: Comparison between areas grown by sesame, sunflower and

sorghum (Fed.) over the period 2006-2015

Sunflower(Fed.)

Sesame(Fed.)

Sorghum (Fed.)

Consequently sesame production faces a similar situation in terms of production quantities

which are correlated with area grown.

Fig 3.3 shows areas grown with sesame and sunflower (cash crops) and sorghum (food

subsistence and trade) to reflect competitiveness in areas grown among the three competing

crops over the period 2006-2015. On average, the areas grown by sorghum are almost four

folds that grown by sesame (Fig. 3.3). While areas grown by sesame are extremely fluctuating

over years as indicated by (c.v.= 0.53) coefficient of variation, sorghum is a little bit less

fluctuating but still remains highly variable in areas grow (c.v.= 0.31). Sunflower is grown as

vegetable oil and occupies considerable area over the period 2005/06-2014/2015 with varying

production levels as will be seen later. Area under sunflower is also variable 110 thousand

feddan which is almost half that of sesame (Fig. 3.3). In general areas grown by sorghum

average to 895 thousand feddan compared to 251 thousand feddan to sesame.

However, guar and cotton are grown in relatively small areas (Table 3.1-a). From this

information, it can be concluded that, cultivation is extremely variable –as reflected by the

standard deviation and coefficient of variation- due to the large temporal and spatial

distribution of rains.

Table 3.1-a: Statistics of 10 years average areas and production of some minor crops in Blue

Nile, 2005-2015

Guar Cotton

planted Harvested Production Yield Planted Harvested Production Yield

Feddan Feddan 100 Kg sack Kg/fed Feddan Feddan Kantar Kantar/fed

MEAN 18724.5 13116.1 95041 62.3 21498 18794.1 129030 7.8

STDEV 33713.4 20817.3 1494833 121.3 9310 8263.57 90792.6 2.4

CV 180.1 158.7 157.3 195 43.3 44 70.4 31.4

Source: MoA, 2015

Despite the adverse weather conditions and other limiting factors that greatly influence crop

production in the state still crop farming is an important livelihood activity; particularly for

14

those who have agricultural land. In Blue Nile, the small scale farmers have areas almost

equal to that owned by mechanized rain fed farming and they produce substantial amounts of

sorghum and millet for food subsistence and send small portions to market to meet their daily

life needs.

Vegetables like okra, pepper are grown for home consumption and also market but in small

quantities. The potential of food self-sufficiency in the state is high, but to date, the yields of

food crops still are considerably below their agronomic potential and by far below

international figures which mount to 1.2-1.4 tons/ha24

. However, production is also variable

by variation in rainfall pattern. Table 3.1-b gives areas planted and cereal production in tons

for the entire state compared to Sudan.

Table 3.1-b: Production (000 MT & areas planted by food crops in Blue Nile State (‘000’ feddan)

Sorghum Millet Total Cereals

5 Yrs

AVG

2008/09

-2012/

2013

Season

2013/

2014

Season

2014/

2015

5 Yrs avg.

2008/09-

2012/13 Season

2013/14 Season

2014/15

5 Yrs avg.

2008/09-

2012/2013

Season

2013/

2014

Season

2014/

2015

Areas in ‘000’ feddan (a) Areas in ‘000’ feddan(b) Total area of cereals in ‘000’fed

Blue Nile 752 529 786 90 57 45 843 586 875

Sudan 14234 10372 20539 4445 3574 6867 18679 13946 27405

Production in ‘000’ tons (d) Production in ‘000’ tons (e)

Production in ‘000’ tons(f)

Blue Nile 119 125 157 9 9 8 128 134 165

Sudan 3281 2249 6281 571 359 1085 3852 2608 7366

Blue Nile 0.158 0.236 0.200 0.099 0.157 0.177 0.152 0.229 0.189

Yield ton (Sudan) 0.231 0.217 0.306 0.128 0.100 0.158 0.206 0.187 0.269

Production share%

4% 6% 2% 2% 3% 1% 3% 5% 2%

Source: computed by the author based on information obtained from Federal MoAI, (Republic of Sudan, 2015)

A comparison is made for seasons 2013/2014, 2014/2015 with five years average (2008/2009-

2012/2013). It has been clear that the state shared almost 4% of Sudan’s total sorghum

production, but has declined in year 2014/2015 to reach almost 2% of Sudan’s total sorghum

production. Millet production in the state is also minimum and confined to traditional rain fed

farmers and they contribute to 2% of total country production (Table 3.1-b). The table also

24 Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal crop and is the dietary staple of more than 500 million people in 30

countries. It is grown on 40 million ha in 105 countries of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. The USA,

India, México, Nigeria, Sudan and Ethiopia are the major producers. Other sorghum producing countries include

Australia, Brazil, Argentina, China, Burkina Faso, Mali, Egypt, Niger, Tanzania, Chad and Cameroon. Grain is

mostly used as food (55%), in the form of flat breads and porridges (thick or thin) in Asia and Africa, and as feed

(33%) in the Americas. Its stover is an increasingly important source of dry season fodder for livestock, especially in Asia (ICRISAT 2015).

Global sorghum area trends indicate that area increased from 45 million ha in the 1970s to 51 million ha in the

1980s. Later, there was fluctuation in area by 4 to 10 million ha and it declined to 40 million ha by 2009. Grain

yields have increased from 1200 kg/ha in the 1970s to 1400 kg/ha in 2009. In East and central Africa yields are

in the range between 800-940 kg/ha (ICRISAT 2015)

15

shows that, average sorghum yields are by far less than the rest of Sudan (68%). The drastic

variation in yields and also in production is attributable mainly to variation in rainfalls.

In General, yields in Blue Nile are almost 39%-46% of the global yields and 61% to 69% of

the yields obtained by some central and east African countries. Cultivation is extremely

variable –as reflected by the standard deviation and coefficient of variation- due to the large

temporal and spatial distribution of rains and floods. However, low productivity in agriculture

as well as livestock is a major contributor to poverty and food insecurity in the state; same as

any other state in the country. In turn, poverty is the root cause for food insecurity, mal or

under-nutrition, social, education, and healthcare and employment deprivation. Crop

cultivation is largely affected by poor and irregular rains, inaccessibility to agricultural land,

lack of agricultural inputs, floods and other instability factors (FAO SIFSIA N 2010).

Horticulture in Blue Nile is mainly along the Blue Nile River and seasonal khors (Table 3.2).

Although not sizably significant, in terms of area and production compared to other sub-

sectors, the horticultural production in the state is of importance to livelihoods of considerable

small scale farmers; particularly those resident along the riverbanks.

Table 3.2: Horticultural areas before and after Rosaries dam heightening Areas before heightening (Feddan) Areas after heightening (Feddan)

Total area utilized Non utilized % Total area utilized Non utilized %

Gardens 000222 02 20222 89% 000222 02 20222 89%

Wells 000222 20222 000222 20% 820208 00,,8 280288 15%

Dam reservoir 800222 200222 ,0222 82% 2220222 000222 000222 02%

Grand total ,00222 000222 280222 2000208 820,,8 ,00288

Source: Department of Horticulture, MoA 2015

Despite the official estimates which talk about 200,000 feddans potentially cultivable by

horticultural crops in the state, nevertheless, actual figures showed less than 85,000 feddans

under cultivation (Table 3.2).

ii) Major factors affecting agricultural production in the Blue Nile state

Like the performance of most crop farming in Sudan, agricultural production in Blue Nile State

is characterized by low yields of sorghum compared to sub-Saharan Africa. These poor yields

stem from many factors, including unfavourable climatic conditions (highly variable rainfall,

intensity, duration and distribution), exhausted soils, low-input use and low levels of

technology adoption. Recent yield data (Table 3.1-b) for sorghum, millet, and vegetables

explains these variations, including cotton, and other vegetables. In this state, agricultural

production is further hindered by shortage of tools, inadequate supply of improved seeds,

unreliable climatic conditions, loss of soil fertility, and soil erosion by runoff. Outbreaks of

crop pests and diseases, weed infestation (Striga harmoncica), limited availability of tractors

for deep ploughing and lack of training in improved crop production technologies as

supplementary irrigation and use of water harvesting techniques are some examples.

16

Agricultural production and productivity25

, including food and other crops and livestock

husbandry, is determined by the interaction of farmers with many external factors (FAO/WFP

2009) and this include but not limited to:

i) natural resources - biophysical framework of soils, water, temperature, flora and

fauna;

ii) traditional practices;

iii) government policies (e.g. land tenure, marketing, animal welfare, labour relations);

iv) international trade agreements;

v) public opinion and concerns;

vi) environmental fluctuations (Ibid 2009).

Additional reasons for low productivity in mechanized farming include poor cultural

practices26

, mono-cropping without a proper rotation calendar. However, crop performance in

semi- mechanized rain fed sub-sector resulted in low yields, due to unreliable rainfall, poor

soils, low-input agriculture and low level of technology usage. This is due to many reasons

among which are the limited research efforts on improved cultivation practices for both rain-

fed and irrigated crops, weak coordination and linkages among stakeholders, unfavorable

climatic conditions, weak implementation capacity of the state’s MoAARF and poor transfer

of agricultural technologies are the most that has not been satisfying the interest of farmers.

However, weak extension services, and poor marketing information and market extension

services are evident as well. In traditional rain fed agriculture poor distribution of rainfall,

weak extension services, weak research service and poor quality of seeds are main problems.

Noteworthy is that, the Damazin Crop Market is at its lowest performance for lack of storage

facilities and other market related infrastructures.

Of the reasons that contributed to low yield stands the poor administrative and marketing

capacities of the concerned sister line ministries, particularly in agricultural management and

administrative domains. This has been clearly reflected by ill-experienced and under qualified

staff in agriculture-related management/expertise. The weak spending on agriculture and

capacity building is the main cause for this deterioration.

On the other hand, inadequacy and untimely supply of agricultural credit to producers with

unsuitable terms for small scale farmers/producers is also a problem. The Farmers Trade

Unions which ought to be the spearhead in confronting for farmers’ rights are helpless and

politically oriented to the interests of few. In addition, there is poor coordination between the

trade unions and the government institutions.

Despite the importance of the Blue Nile as a food producing state, nonetheless, the supporting

infrastructure that enhances agricultural development (agricultural and rural roads,

transportation, storage, electricity, water for drinking and for irrigation, marketing and

information management systems) is generally weak.

25 Low productivity in agriculture (as well as livestock) is a major contributor to poverty and food insecurity in

the Red Sea State; same as any other state in the country. In turn, poverty is the root cause for food insecurity, mal or under-nutrition, social, education, and healthcare and employment deprivation. 26 Except for companies, there are no rules that compel farmers to adhere to a particular crop rotation, and

everyone is doing on his won. Because of the erratic rainfall, there is no compliance to recommended sowing

date, particularly sesame. This problem is even exacerbated by inadequate supply of improved seeds, poor land

preparation, poor utilization of fertilizers and substantial delays in harvesting of crops, either due to shortage of

labour or the higher labour cost.

17

B. Status of livestock production

i) Major livestock type and their number

In Blue Nile state, livestock plays an important role in the state economy as forage for grazing

animals is abundant and accessible during the rainy season to herders even from outside the

state. For a sizable portion of livestock keeper, it represents main source of household income

and a major source of food for transhumance pastoralist and agro-pastoralists. The number of

the livestock in Blue Nile State varies greatly27

according to fodder availability and prevalence

of diseases. Besides the per head count, this report uses the standardized measurement

(Tropical Livestock Units (TLU12

) to better represent the asset value of various forms of

livestock in the state rather than relying merely on the per ‘head’ basis. The reason is that, this

TLU measure will allow comparability of livestock assets in the state or even across

livelihoods (Nzuma and Ochola 2010).

Table 3.3 shows a total of 15.3 million heads in 2015 with sheep sharing more than half of

this figure (52%), while, cattle; goats and camels share 37%, 9% and 1% respectively. Using

the TLU standards, the percent contribution of each species changed greatly reflecting cattle

as number one livestock asset (66%) while sheep, camels, and goat share 27%, 4% and 3%

respectively (Table 3.3).

Table 3.3: The Number of Livestock (000) in Blue Nile State by head count and TLU (2015)

Cattle Sheep Goats Camels TOTAL

Head count 5700 8000 1430 150 15280

% 37% 52% 9% 1% 100%

Cattle Sheep Goats Camels TOTAL

Tropical livestock units(TLU)

TLU 3990 1600 257.4 180 6027.4

% (TLU) 66% 27% 4% 3% 100%

The distribution of livestock species by locality is currently not available, but this remains of

high importance to determine whether the carrying capacity and grazing density in each

locality is adequately ensured or otherwise. Information by locality will also assist in

formulating grazing policies by locality and make necessary intervention to avoid crop

damage. However, it worth to note that, pastures account for more than 2.1 million feddan.

Because of security reasons, it is not clear as to how much agricultural land is invaded by

agricultural expansion or being under mining28

.

27 The problem of accuracy in livestock data is due to the fact that the entire calculations rests on estimates based

on last livestock population census, and there has been no attempt to count the national herd since an aerial

census was conducted in 1975 (FIC 2012). The official livestock population estimates are unlikely to be accurate. In spite of this, the information presented in given table shows the official estimates of the numbers of

livestock in the state from the 2010 to the present.

28 Mining occupies 5% of the state's total area mainly Bao (Paw) locality with a portion of Gissan locality in an

area of 62 sq. Km. The main mineral and metals include gold, graphite , iron, zinc , limestone, talc , marble, and

chrome production. There is evidence of oil being worked on to identifying its quantity. The most important

problems and obstacles faced by the mining activity is the security situation, the permissions and the collision

with the local community.

18

ii) Factors affecting livestock production

As there is a huge number of livestock in Blue Nile state, the sector faces a number of

challenges, basically in production and marketing. There is a tendency to consume more with

increase in population demand for meat and dairy products which have increased substantially

over the last years. Pastoral land declined with the agricultural expansion, exacerbated by

inward and outward migration of livestock from neighbouring states to the Blue Nile during

the rainy season. The state is undertaking modest efforts to introduce new/ modern livestock

farming systems and still little research has been made for utilizing renewable resources for

pastures and animal feed. Although this is potentially obvious, at the planning stage, however,

fewer steps have been taken in this direction.

Despite the relatively available range lands in the state, still there are many other factors

affecting livestock. Some of these factors relate to animal health as reflected by the

inadequate clinical services, weak disease surveillance/reporting systems and poor

vaccination coverage (less than 6% coverage in 2014) leading to spread of animal diseases

and parasites29

. The factors affecting livestock production are not only fodder but also stock

routes and water scarcity, particularly drinking water in areas away from the Blue Nile River

and the water reservoirs. However, many studies and reports have mentioned the fact that,

rangeland degradation -due to overuse of already fast shrinking range and pasture resources-

is the most prominent environmental problem associated with the livestock husbandry in

Sudan (IFAD 2009)30

.

iii) Livestock product

Livestock products constitute the major source of subsistence to many urban, semi urban and rural

dwellers. Livestock products can generally be classified according to purpose into five groups (Jahnke

1982). These groups include a) food items like meat, milk, eggs, etc. b) non-food items (wool,

skin, hides, etc. c) manure and the like d) animals (reproductive &growth) and e) work by

animals or animals for work. Information on these at the state level is, however, not accurate

and is mostly guess or second best estimates by veterinary authorities but remain as essential

indicators to the current situation since many products are not under direct inspection of

veterinary authorities. Data on slaughtered animals is incomplete for the lack of a proper

information system as due to security reasons or due to underfunding and administrative

obstacles like cars and vehicles for vaccination.

Total average number of slaughtered animals (per head) was drastically varying as shown in

Fig. 3.4 over the period 2013-2014 where data permits. The officially slaughtered animal was

18 thousand sheep, 21 thousand goats, 16 thousand cattle in 2013 whereas camel almost nil

(21 head in 2014). In 2014, available information showed drastic drop in animals slaughtered

with no clear reason other than lack of data management (Fig. 3.4).

29 (FAO-FSPS (2015). End of Mission Comprehensive Report 2015 .Technical Assistance to Support States

Policy Papers Preparation (GCP/SUD/038/EC). Paper entitled: Low animal productivity and production. By: El

hadi Kheir Allahah Gismallah. Food Security Policy and Strategy Capacity Building Programme. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

30 The three most negative factors affecting rangelands include: (i) overstocking of rangelands through the

explosive growth of livestock numbers, particularly in Central Sudan; (ii) major reduction over several decades

in the total area of available rangeland due to expansion of farming and desertification and (iii) widespread

deterioration of rangelands following recurrent drought spells, climatic change, and extensive annual range,

pasture and woodland burning (Ibid 2009).

19

More reliable information on milk, yoghurt and ghee and other dairy products relate to 2010

where a comprehensive study on Food Consumption and Nutritional Status was made in Blue

Nile in 2010. Surprisingly, these figures describe the annual consumption and not monthly

consumption, which indicates a severe lack of adequate and balanced diet for people in the

Blue Nile (Table 3.4 & Annex 3.1-a, b, c).

Table 3.4: Average household consumption of milk products in B. Nile state (Kg), 2010

Urban Rural

Commodity kilogram % kilogram %

Fresh milk 23.6 86.3 17.2 90.2

Sour milk 0.2 0.6 0.2 0.9

Yoghurt 1.5 5.5 0.5 2.6

Ghee 0.2 0.6 0.1 0.4

Cheese and butter 0.7 2.4 0.2 1.2

Powder milk 1.3 4.6 0.9 4.6

Total 27.4 100 19.1 100 Source: Food Consumption and Nutritional Status in Blue Nile State. Study made by Ministry of agriculture,

forestry and irrigation Blue Nile state in collaboration with General Directorate of Agricultural Economics And

Planning. Federal Ministry of Agriculture, September 2010 (in Arabic)

Up to date information are seemingly available but its accuracy is not guaranteed. In addition,

information on marketing of other animal products, like leather hides, hair/wool, and eggs is

not readily available.

C. Status of fish production and utilization in the state

i) Source of fish and estimated production

Fish production has become increasingly market-driven, particularly demand for freshwater fish in the

domestic and export markets. Despite the Blue Nile and Rosaries Lake which extends over a 105

km in length to the south of the dam -626 km square-, fish production is still not a major

business in Blue Nile state compared to its potential of 4100 tons a year. Despite the

importance of fishing, communities at riverbank site still they keep livestock and agriculture

as an additional source of income.

cattle sheep goats camels

15962 18368

21200

4

9018

14670

8575

21

Fig. 3.4: The number of slaughtered animals by type in

2013 and 2014

2013 2014

20

The current fish potential of Lake Rosaries stands at 1,700 tons/year and is expected to

increase to 4,100 tons/year upon completion of heightening the Rosaries Dam in 2013

(MoAARF 2015). Average quantities produced by Lake Rosaries over the years 2001-2010

showed average of 540 tons a year, of which 98 tons exported outside the state, 291 tons

consumed locally as fresh fish while 90 tons and 67 tons used as dried and wet salted fish

respectively31

(FAO ERCU 2011). Along the Blue Nile fishing is dominant by Housa

communities besides production of vegetables and fruits. Fishermen which account for 565 –

double this figure practice fishing on seasonal basis – uses artisanal methods and equipment,

however, fish processing is sill primitive and harvest is sold mostly fresh with small

proportion being processed into wet-salted or dried form. The fishing livelihood in the state is

constrained by lack of cold stores and appropriate modes of transport.

Annual catchment of fish is actually unknown and authorities make estimations by taking the

figures that come to the main state’s markets, which was circa 2300-2600 tonne a year.32

.

Worth to note is that the fish catchment from Blue Nile can be marketed in the state or sent to

markets in Khartoum, Gezira and White Nile state. To promote the fishing industry in the

Blue Nile state it is important to develop the fishermen and their association and provide

support to these organizations in areas of marketing; viz. transport and storage infrastructures

(ice boxes, fishing tools and cold store transport trucks).

No recent study, other than the FAO ERCU 2011 that assessed the contribution of fishing to

household food security in terms of income means and source of food (Fig. 3.5). Assuming no

inflation and prices kept, constant, a monthly income of SDG 1000 is expected for a

household fisherman (Fig. 3.5).

Source: FAO-ERCU 2011

However, the records shown by Fig. 3.5 indicated minor contribution to household food

security where fishermen incomes were about SDG 50 per day on average. The expected

volume from trade on this business was estimated to circa SDG 23-26 million per annum.

Fishermen can earn good income, when adequate fishing tools and markets are conglomerated

31 Information from fisheries directorate showed a total number of subsistence fishing boats in the state to be

about 1833 in 2009 (MoAR 2011) at an average fishing capacity of 7 to 20 kg of fish a day. This will end up of

about 13 to 36 tons a day ending at a minimum average of 2,300 tons a year for subsistence fishing of which a

significant portion go to the market (FAO ERCU 2011).

32 If the number of working boats ranges between 1833 and 2000, an average annual harvest will range between

2300 to 2600 MT per year, which is almost half the current Lake Rosaries potential.

55 45 45

40 40

60

47.5

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Town 1 Town 2 Town 3 Town 8 Town 9 Karori overall averag eincome

Fig. 3.5: Average per day income levels (SDG) obtained by fishermen

in different locations

21

through good road infrastructure and cold storage facilities and rudimentary public transport,

which is generally weak in the Blue Nile state.

D. Food crops marketing

Market development/demand and agribusiness clusters are important vehicles for poverty

reduction. However, their contribution in attaining food security and creating rural wealth to

boost the state economy is still not fully fledged in Blue Nile state. These drivers, which are

key in FSN policy are currently lacking or working inefficiently for insecurity reasons beside

the lack of adequate market infrastructure in the state. Current studies showed that, the world

focus has by now shifted towards high-end markets & international trade through competition

(Ismail 2012-a, b). However, most smallholder producers, local entrepreneurs and poor

consumers in the state find themselves in a disadvantageous position in this regard, especially

when looking at the rural economies and the dynamics of small scale farms in traditional

agriculture, fish and livestock markets in the state.

Damazin Crop Market (DCM) is the main crop market in the state but still not well developed

in spite of the huge quantities of crops traded. The prices33

of cereals (sorghum and millet) in

DCM showed drastic variations over the period 2010-2015 with evident price hikes as

reflected by the standard deviation and coefficient of variation Table 3.5 and Fig.3.6).

Table 3.5: Statistics reflecting average prices of sorghum and millet (SDG/MT) and

their dispersions in Damazin Crop Market over the period 2010-2015

Sorghum feterita Millet

Average 1622 2250

Standard deviation 830 1083

Coefficient of variation 0.51 0.48

Source: Based on information from Damazin Crop market, 2015

Table 3.5 showed that sorghum price per ton were about SDG 1622/MT34

while millet

averaged to SDG 2250/MT that is 39% higher than price of feterita sorghum. The figure

shows that sorghum prices35

are increasing steadily and almost close to SDG 3000 per MT in

2014 and minimum of SDG 1032 per MT in 2010 (Fig. 3.6).

The figure shows that, sorghum prices have been implicitly characterized by a 24-month

steady increasing trend, over the years 2010-2015, and this is attributable to the relatively

high costs of production and transportation. Inflation rate might also contribute to such

substantial increases in prices. Moreover, it has been observed that millet prices are usually

higher than sorghum prices although the former is the customary food for the majority in the

state.

33 Prices information obtained were nominal prices in SDG/MT and inflation is not catered for in this analysis.

34 Until now, there is no obligatory rule to comply with unit measurements in grain markets, and the sack, which

varies between 89-92 Kg, is still the acceptable volume for transactions in sorghum crop markets.

35 As in many other crop markets in Sudan, prices of locally produced sorghum and millet in the state are

normally declining in October/November following the start of the main harvest (which is usually completed in

February), and remain generally stable through to March, before rising and peaking in August/September.

22

This is attributable to less quantities of millet produced in the area and also because the crop

is mainly grown to meet the demand of people originally from western Sudan who favour

millet over other crops. Due to lack of information, however, we were not able to analyse the

situation of markets price, particularly along the value chain such as the farm gate prices and

the prices spread among the state markets for market integration assessment due to limitations

on secondary information. Consequently, information on producer’s share and farmer’s share

of the retail price could not be detected at this stage.

Despite the significant production and utilization of vegetable oils (sesame, groundnuts) and

karkedey in Blue Nile, yet it received less attention in the state (Fig. 3.7). The database and

price information livestock is not adequate thus not yet readily available for analysis.

Fig. 3.7: Prices of vegetable oils and Roselle in DCM in SDGs /MT (2010/11-2014/15)

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

feterita 1032 812 1663 1659 2943

wad ahmed 1032 806 1661 1651 2944

tabat 1284 1321 2131 2265 3310

millet 1260 1380 2160 2505 3947

1260 1380

2160 2505

3947

0 500

1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500

SDG

Fig. 3.6: Prices of sorghum and millet in Damazin Crop

Market in SDGs /MT(2010/11-2014/15)

1782

2371

3930

6823

8573

1234

1868

2399

2168

4828

2122

3341

5081

4152

8323

8619

9919

12054

13652

18077

0 5000 10000 15000 20000

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

karkadey

shelled GN

unshelled GN

sesame

23

E. Pattern of cross-border trade between states and with other countries

If trade is the door for exchange of goods and services, marketing is certainly the key that can

open this door. Trade between the two neighbouring countries –Sudan and Ethiopia- is far

rooted in history and has been a livelihood activity for many individuals at the borders

formally or informally36

. Worth to mention is that, pastoralists who are either semi-nomads or

practising transhumance and nomads are frequently crossing the borders into neighbouring

Ethiopia and vice versa but numbers are extremely difficult to estimate. Cross-border inflows and

outflows are also an important source of food supply, for both sides, particularly sorghum

grains, and other cereals.

Currently, there is no active trade between the two countries for security reasons. In the past

there were four trade points at the border, namely: Yaboos, Giessan, Kurmuk and Menza.

Noteworthy is that, trade management and information on cross border trade is a federal

concern. Before the last civil unrest, in 2011, exports of Sudan to Ethiopia vary from

livestock, other food items to ceramics and school stationeries. The Ethiopians used to send

food items like coffee, garlic, faba beans, potatoes, dry okra, honey bees, spices and gingers.

Even at that time (2011) there was no consistent pattern of trade between Sudan and Ethiopia

and minimum exports and imports frequently occur but statistics is currently not available.

3.1.2 Availability of Drinking Water for Human and Animals

Drinking water is the only provision a human being needs daily. This basic fact makes access

to safe drinking water a prerequisite for human survival and it is included among the

Millennium Development Goals set up by the UN to reduce poverty in the world (Forare

2009). In addition, availability and access of human and animals to drinking water with

acceptable quality levels is essential for food security.

Water sources in Blue Nile state are either from direct rainfall, river streams or underground

water. Rainfall water is estimated at 29 billion cubic meters (BCM) annually and some of

which goes to Blue Nile and or White Nile as shown in Table 3.6. Interesting to note is that

the quantity that goes to the Blue Nile is not counted in the share of Nile Waters Agreement

of 1958. This means that, circa 12 billion cubic meters originating from the Blue Nile state

goes to Egypt and be stored in Lake Toshki to be used later for irrigating Egyptian lands.

Table 3.6: Estimated amount of rainfall water and its drainage to Nile tributaries (BCM)

Billion CM %

Consumed by crops 1.6 5.5%

Consumed by pastures and forests 3.1 10.7%

Direct and indirect evaporation during the six months 10.9 37.6%

Underground percolation 0.4 1.4%

To the White Nile 0.37 1.3%

Into swamps of Upper Nile 0.24 0.8%

Sub-Total 16.61 57.3%

To the Blue Nile 12.39 42.7%

Grand rainfall total (billion cubic meters) 29 100

Source: Hadia Abdel Kareem Bushara. FAO FSPS Programme papers.

36

Millions of Ethiopians live in the border regions. This increases the opportunity of bilateral trade between

Sudan and these Ethiopian regions.

24

In this connection, there are a number of different water sources in the Blue Nile state37

.

Available statistics showed that 22 thousand cubic meters is the state’s daily production of

drinking water to meet human requirement, which average to about 8.1 million cubic meters

(MCM) per annum (Table 3.7 & Annex 3.2-a). The quantity estimated for livestock in 2015 is

circa 142 thousand CM per day, which approximately 35 MCM per annum (excluding rainy

waters during the rainy season) that is 4 times human consumption (Fig. 3.8& Annex 3.2-b).

The amount would however, rise 51 MCM counting the quantities needed during the rainy

season which is 16 MCM (Fig. 3.8).

Table 3.7: Average quantity of water produced by locality in Blue Nile state, 2013

Hand pumps Water stations Hafiers & Nile filters

Total quantity

Working units

Production CM/day

Working units

Production CM/day

Working units

Production CM/day

Production CM/day

Tadamon 15 120 1 18 26 667 805

Rosaries 206 1648 19 1836 16 33 3517

Bao 377 3016 12 2880 20 100 5996

Damazin 225 1800 26 474 1 0 2274

Kurmuk 434 3472 15 1020 20 144 4636

Giessan 304 2432 15 2712 0 0 5144

Grand Total 1,561 12,488 88 8,940 90 944 22,372

Source Hadia Abdel Kareem Bushara FAO FSPS Policy paper.2015

Fig. 3.8: Animal head counts and the required drinking water (CM) in B. Nile state (CM/year) excluding

rainy season

Analysis showed that, water supply over the years (from 2010 to 2014) is not stable and

fluctuated dramatically according to variation in rainfall and water flows on the seasonal

streams. Despite the increase in quantity produced and net water available water loss is so

37

i) Large water pumps filtration stations/units on Blue Nile River, ii) Artisanal underground water pumps iii)

water catchment iv) hafiers and dams, v) overhead water tanks (Dawanki) stations in rural areas, and earth

banks, dawanki and hand pumps and small water filtrations units.

7,460,342

7,734,080

8,018,296

8,313,403

8,619,833

8,938,034

9,268,474

29,138,250

30,094,250

31,082,750

32,105,750

33,164,250

34,259,250

35,392,250

0 10,000,000 20,000,000 30,000,000 40,000,000 50,000,000

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

number of Livestock cubic meters of water needed/year

25

270465

1181140

2013340

763580

1556725

1727180

7512430

Tadamon

Rosaries

Bao

Damazin

Kurmuk

Giessan

Grand Total

Fig. 3.9: Net available drinking water by

locality in B. Nile state (CM/year)

great amounting to 8% -other than the evapo-transpiration-. The figure reflects an apparent

deficit that needs to be supplemented either from permanent water sources or erection of new

hafiers and water catchments.

3.2 Access to food and water

Despite Blue Nile being an important food producing state, access to enough food to meet

dietary energy needs for most of the rural and semi-urban households is a serious problem in

many parts of the state, particularly areas affected by the security situation. Other than war, a

number of factors contribute to this problem of which income, low land/livestock

productivity, water and market access are some. FAO reports that physical and financial

causes affect food access and this is further restricted due to scarce non-agricultural income

possibilities, limited access to productive resources, lack of functioning services and

substandard managerial and organizational capacity (FAO 2012, WFP 2014).

The FSN SA observed that, most of the quantity of cereal produced in the state is transported

to other states to meet market demand for storage is lacking. Therefore, even if the question of

food availability is being partially solved still there will be other questions with respect to

access to food, quality and adequacy of nutritional value will definitely remain unanswered.

The security situation and rainfall have resulted in reduction of production output of cereals in

many parts of the state. This will be reflected on food security situation since increases in

prices of sorghum and other food crops are certain. For the rural people who are isolated in

remote areas, this would result in

poor access to food and

consequently less of it which will

contribute to prevalence of

malnutrition exacerbated by the

already high rates of illiteracy, bad

food culture and practices.

Importantly is that, an improved

sources of drinking water is circa

84.9%, which indicates that

people in the state have access to

drinking water after a remarkable

improvement in network and other

water sources (Annex 3.2-a, b).

However, it is not clear as to the

number of households connected

to piped networks since

information is meagre.

Current information tells that

there are sizable portion of people

in the Blue Nile state are still

water served by donkey vendors

from private dug wells and or

other traditional sources. Deep

boreholes and overhead water

tanks with poorly installed

pipeline distribution networks

(water yards) assumed to provide

water for locality capitals or

26

villages are lacking and available ones are mainly for domestic usage and watering of

livestock. However, the percentage of people who have access to improved environmental

sanitation services are circa 73.3% of total population of the state38

.

In conclusion, the current information on food and access to food as well as availability and

access to sustainable clean drinking water sources and improved sanitation facilities is still

below the international Sphere standards. Food gaps require some remedial measures to

surpass while the story of water is a bit different in Blue Nile since there is huge water

resources but access to water is still a problem as the proportion of people without sustainable

access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation is yet accurately unknown.

i) Means of income

The state's economy depends largely on agricultural production and livestock trade including

mining in some areas to the south. Trading of goods and services with neighbouring Ethiopia

through the border ports is not active and people are suffering from stopping trade with south

Sudan for the known security reasons. Industries and manufacturing sector, which can be a

source of income to many youth are still lagging behind in the state. The manufacturing

sector, which if promoted can play an important role as forward and backward linkages to

agriculture, particularly fruits and vegetables in the state.

Mining had some significance but still limited to specific areas and some companies and

individuals are engaged in the mining of gold and other precious metals and minerals.

Damazin town, the capital, is the biggest employer in the state and accommodates the major

economic and non-economic activities. More than two-thirds of the state services, economic

activities, skilled labour professionals and government institutions, as well as private sector

companies and NGOs, are located in Damazin. Many private sector companies in agriculture

also provide some employment opportunities but information on number and type of job is

uncertain.

In rural areas, main sources of livelihood are crop production, fishing, livestock rearing,

collection of firewood for charcoal making, beside agricultural causal labour and non-

agricultural wage labour. In rural areas of Blue Nile state, women have a sound contribution to

family income working in agriculture and other on farm tasks. Women involvement in

agricultural tasks and care after livestock was prominent in most localities.

i) Employment, wage rates, and expenditure patterns

In principle, the food expenditure (among different food items) provides an important

indicator of allocations of money across the different items. The shares are usually estimated

as proportions of the total expenditure; this is analogous to the food poverty cut-off line.

Household food expenditures are also convertible to calories using price per unit and calorie

per unit conversion factors (Nzuma & Ochola 2010). In Blue Nile, the shared expenditure of

food was 62% according to the last national household survey in 2010 and this is proposed to

increase. However, other studies in this respect remain partial in scope and coverage and also

outdated to make use of its information in policy decisions. Poverty is closely related to

unemployment. Poverty head count rate in Blue Nile was estimated at 56.5% in 2010.

No current statistics as to the unemployment rate for the population (of 10 years old and

above) whilst the national rates for the same age groups is 13% with 9% and 23% for males

38 However, these figures are to be taken with caution since most of the localities are not reachable for security

reasons.

27

and females respectively. The number of official government employees in Blue Nile is close

to 20,000 at different grades. In principal, the minimum wage for public sector employee (and

also for private sector) should not go below SDG 425 per month, which is SDG 5100/annum

approximately about $ 212 USD/annum that is less than a dollar a day.

In the rural areas of Blue Nile State income was estimated to be below 1770 USD per year,

and a staggering majority of the population is thought to live beneath the dollar-a-day poverty

line. Chronic poverty and ongoing threats to livelihoods in the rural areas of the State mean

that urban migration to Damazin and other major cities in the state will continue. There is an

increasing tendency to leave the state for better job in Khartoum and other cities or even

abroad, concurrently with inward migrants to the state for mining and better income and this

maintains the population dynamics evolving.

Like in many states, most of the people in rural areas supplement their income with seasonal

cultivation, off-farm business revenues, internal transfers and remittances, asset sales and

indoor/home activities. Seasonal waged labours migrate to urban centres, particularly

Damazin and Rosaries and to other areas in order to provide an additional source of food and

income. The importance of migration has increased in recent years due to the decline of the

traditional agricultural economy, particularly small scale holders. At present rural women are

employed in family agriculture, firewood gathering, cooking and even herding but this does

not contribute much to their social or economic advancement.

3.3 Food utilization

Malnutrition rate

Malnutrition is usually measured by comparing the anthropometric indicators for children

under the age of five (stunting, wasting, and underweight) against a healthy reference

population as defined by the World Health Organization (Nzuma and Ochola (2010) (Table

3.8). Stunting, or low height-for-age, is defined as having a height at least two standard

deviations below the median height for a reference population39

.

Stunting among children is a strong nutritional indicator for chronic food insecurity as

insufficient calorie intake translates into reduced child growth. Underweight or low weight-

for-age is similarly defined and reflects both chronic and acute malnutrition. Wasting is based

on standardized weight-for-height and low values can be a measure of acute malnutrition

39 Methodology followed in this respect usually measures the age, sex, weight in kilograms (to the nearest 100g),

height in centimeters (to the nearest millimeter), presence or absence of oedema and the Mid Upper Arm

Circumference (MUAC) were collected to assess the nutritional status of children aged 6 to 59 months. The

levels of stunting, wasting, and underweight are then computed using nutria-survey software and are expressed

in standard deviation from the median of the 2006 WHO reference standards, with cut-offs set at -2 SD and -3

SD. The following WHO classification is used to determine severity at population level, table below:

Table 3.8: WHO Standard Classification of Severity of Malnutrition

Severity of malnutrition Prevalence of wasting Prevalence of stunting

Acceptable < 5% < 20%

Poor 5-9% 20-29%

Serious 10-14% 30-39%

Critical ≥15% ≥40%

Source: Nzuma, Jonathan and Sophie, Ochola (2010). Kenya Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability

(CFSVA) and Nutrition Assessment: High Density Urban Areas Kenya Urban Comprehensive Food Security &

Vulnerability Analysis (KU-CFSVA) and Nutrition Assessment (2010). © World Food Programme, VAM Food

Security Analysis

28

(FAO FSPS 2014 & UNICEF 2013). The most recent and comprehensive information on

malnutrition in the state is that of UNICEF (in 2013) commonly known as S3M (Simple

Spatial Surveying Methodology, S3M 2013 Table 3.9)40

.

Table 3.9: Some malnutrition and health indicators (CU5& HH data), B. Nile state 2013

Locality

Stunting

Global

Wasting

Global

(WHZ)

Wasting

Severe

(MUAC)

Mother under-

nourished (MUAC <

230 mm)

Improved

source of

drinking water

Improved

sanitation

facility

Key >30% >15% >3% >15% <50% >50%

Baw * 39.6 25 4.4 17.2 96.9 0.0

Damazin* 45 14.5 1.4 12.5 99 66.7

Giassan* 48.8 16 6.1 27.6 97.6 90.6

Kurmuk* 52.9 16.2 2 18.8 37.5 0.0

Rosaries 51.4 20.3 5.2 15.7 85.2 73.2

Tadamon* 42.9 14.5 0.0 7.8 2.3 0.0

All state

except

capital 49.8 18.5 4.8 19.1 84.9 73.3

Damazin Town 37.9 12.7 2.7 1.3 88.8 19.5

Rosaries

Town 37 10.6 2.0 13.2 86.3 16.0

Source S3M UNICEF 2014.

The star* indicates partial coverage of the locality

Sudan has a huge burden of acute malnutrition, or wasting, and the S3M showed that over

half a million children will suffer from life-threatening severe acute malnutrition during one

year. Wasting reflects a deficit in weight relative to height due to a recent and severe process

resulting in loss of tissue and fat mass. Global acute malnutrition (GAM) based on WHZ

score is defined as < -2 z-scores weight-for-height and/or oedema. GAM based on MUAC is

defined as MUAC below 125 millimetres. Prevalence of GAM in many areas across the

country is classified as critical, which is above 15% as per the WHO threshold for assessing

severity of malnutrition, adopted in the national nutrition survey guidelines for Sudan 2012.

The S3M results showed that acute malnutrition is a wide-spread public health problem

affecting every state, with a concentration in the East (particularly Red Sea), Blue Nile,

Central and North Darfur.

The results of the survey have been disaggregated by locality to allow comparison between

the localities and to identify the most affected areas in order to embark on health and nutrition

campaigns to mitigate the malnutrition problem in the specific localities.

The figures highlighted in red indicate a worsening situation whilst the green ones showed an

acceptable level of improved source of drinking water and improved sanitation facility.

Despite the partial coverage of the state by the survey, the key S3M findings indicate that all

localities of Blue Nile State have a stunting rate classified as high

41 (above 30%) whereas 3

of the 6 localities have severe acute malnutrition rates (measured by MUAC) that are

classified as very critical (above 3%) namely Rosaries, Baw and Geissan locality.

40 In 2013, The UNICEF and the Government of Sudan conducted a Household Health Survey in the entire

country and Blue Nile state is one of the states covered by this S3M.

41 Stunting cut-offs: very high = >40%; high = 30-40%; medium = 20-29%; low = <20%.[1]

29

The report also showed that exclusive breastfeeding rates have improved across the Blue Nile

state to above 70% in 4 of the 6 localities. Similarly, maternal under-nutrition is very high in

Blue Nile state. However, current information based on results of July 2015 Round of CNS in

Blue Nile state is that the nutrition status can be described as critical as the GAM and SAM

recorded an average of 8.9 % and 1.0% respectively42

(MoH 2015). Nutrition status in month

of May was significantly raised compared to the last Round as GAM rate increased from

27.8% in last Round to 31.7 in this May Round. This may be due to displacement of

population from Baw locality to Damazin and Rosaries localities43

.

Interesting is that, household use of iodised salt has improved since the last national survey

(NBHS 2010) where more than 50% of households were using iodised salt in 5 localities. The

S3M survey results also indicated High Vitamin A supplementation at coverage of more than

75% in all localities. Coverage with improved sanitation facilities and improved sources of

drinking water is low (less than 50%) in most locations, – use of improved sanitation facilities

in 2 localities (out of 6) is less than 50% (UNICEF 2014).

The detailed S3M report of UNICEF (2014) showed that more children in Blue Nile were

surviving the first years of life than in 2006 (when the SHHS-1 was carried out). For instance,

under-five mortality has decreased from 102 to 78 deaths per 1,000 live births between 2006

and 2010. Similarly, infant mortality has fallen from 71 to 57 deaths per 1,000 live births,

and neonatal mortality from 36 to 33 (UNICEF 2014). In summary, the overall situation is

worrying despite the some achievements made, and the efforts toward the MDGs should

continue in Blue Nile as all results indicated prevalence of malnutrition as a result of chronic

food insecurity rather than acute food insecurity.

School feeding in Blue Nile state

School feeding is one of the successful

operational programmes lead by WFP in most

states in the early seventies but recently has

slowed down its pace due to security reasons.

Currently, the ministry of education has its own

feeding programme which is only confined to

students displaced from Giessan locality. The

number of pupils targeted by the school feeding

programme accounted for circa 8500.

Worth to note is that, the school feeding

programme was also receiving support from

Zakat chambers, charity people, MoE, and social

support from Ministry of Social Welfare but all kinds of support remain irregular. Previous

statistics –before 2011 events- showed a total of 79 thousand students/pupils were receiving

support from the school feeding programme (Fig. 3.10). At that time, the school feeding

programme was estimated to cost almost SDG 137 million a year covering a total of 79-81

thousand pupils/students with food items that contains cereals, pulses, iodized salt and

vegetable oil.

42

The Sphere cut offs (15-19.9% Critical.

43 Inconsistency of malnutrition rates among Blue Nile localities might be due to variation in culture, beliefs, and

livelihood strategies, access to basic services, insecurity and immigration of villages covered by Dam Lake. Only

41% of children are exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months of life (state MoH 2015: Blue Nile state CNS

Report, July 2015).

30

Dietary diversity

The concept of promoting dietary diversity and improved child‐feeding practices is still

evolving with negligible household dietary diversity score44

. Despite the results of the latest

IPC which showed larger proportion of households as food secure (82%) others will remain,

however, vulnerable to food insecurity with limited options for food diversity. This has been

supported by recent findings which indicated that 49.8% of children under five in Blue Nile

state are stunted and 18.5% of the under‐five population is underweight for the poor and non

diversified food sources. The MUAC rate for mothers is found circa 19.1%, which is greater

than the acceptable conditions (15%) as shown in Table 3.9.

The most recent literature on dietary diversity for children in Blue Nile is provided by the

CNS report of July 2015 (MoH 2015). This report showed that, the dietary diversity is

between 4.1-4.4 in Damazin and Rosaries town and lower in southern riverine small-medium

scale cultivation areas (2.9-3.1). The dietary diversity among the children less than 23 month

was found poor and scored with an average.

Consumption of plant sources vitamin A was in the range of (52.4-55.7%) and animal sources

of vitamin A to range between (35.8-39.5%) and good dietary diversity of iron rich foods (68-

71%). Noteworthy is that, dietary diversity may still vary by geographical locality, ethnicity

and cultural habits.

In general, the average consumption of fruit, eggs, vegetables, legumes, pulses, and poultry is

low in the state and people usually confine themselves to particular types of food either due

to the low purchasing power they have or due to cultural habits in relation to preferences and

acceptability of certain types of food (Annex 3.1-a,b, c). This generally low dietary diversity

44 The report used the WHO guidance on infant and child feeding practices for the dietary diversity of children

aged between six and 24 months. The minimum dietary diversity for children in this age group is defined as the

consumption of four or more food groups (out of seven). The seven food groups are:

grains, roots and tubers

legumes and nuts

dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese)

flesh foods (meat, fish, poultry and liver/organ meats)

eggs

vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables

other fruits and vegetables (WFP et al 2014).

15839

24430

6338

12973

21486

81066

Bao

Kurmuk

Tadamon

Rosaries

Giessan

Grand Total

Fig. 3.10: Number of students/pupils benefiting from the school feeding

programme prior 2011 events

31

is a substantial contributing factor to malnutrition in the state for both children and the elder.

However, there is no recent study to give evidence based conclusions (since the last study

made my MoA in 2010) but interviews with experts and eye observations are sufficient to

draw some preliminary conclusions and further research is needed in this area. In a nutshell,

the overall resultant picture shows that dietary diversity is limited in the state with almost few

options for households.

State authorities should initiate FSN policies to demolish the poor nutritional options in terms

of available foodstuffs and change or enhance positive nutritional behaviour to promote

dietary diversity. Without these policies the factors underlying food insecurity, shall persist

and further be exacerbated by Communicable Diseases (diarrheal, malaria, etc) and other

diseases from unsafe water supplies and lack of sanitation and hygiene (Table 3.9). Expansion

of community farms, school gardens, home gardens and replication of them as lessons learned

in the creation of mechanisms to enhance dietary diversity is crucial and is expected to

improve, directly or directly, the nutritional status45

and wellbeing of household members.

Daily energy intake

Different people need different amounts of energy and some physical activities use more

energy46

than others. The energy requirement of an individual is the level of energy intake

from food that will balance energy expenditure when an individual has a body size and

composition and level of activity, consistent with the long term good health; and that will allow

for the maintenance of economically necessary and socially desirable physical activity (FAO –

SIFSIA 2010).

Current information on daily energy intake is meager and more or less historical as there is no

up-to-date information. The most recent was the National Household Baseline Survey

conducted in 2009 which has showed the depth of hunger, which refers to the amount of daily

dietary energy consumption per person required by the undernourished population to reach

the minimum dietary energy requirement (MDER), and was calculated at 344 Kcal at the

national level and 343 and 344 Kcal in urban and rural areas, respectively (FAO SIFSIA

2010).

In contrast, the daily energy intake in Blue Nile state was found (National Household Baseline

Survey conducted in 2009) circa 2300 Kcal of daily dietary energy consumption per person

while the minimum dietary energy requirement (MDER) was calculated at 1705

Kcal/day/person/day (CBS 2010). This amount of DEC expressed in food quantity is about

100 grams of daily food grains per person which is equivalent to about 37 kg of yearly food

grain consumption per person, ignoring possible food losses after food acquisition. The depth

of hunger was however remarkably different in households by states (Ibid 2010).

From this analysis, the reviewer of the FSN situation analysis understands the difficulties

facing localities to assess energy intake parameters given the diversity of the consumption

45 Nutritional status is often considered one of the best outcome indicators for overall livelihood security since it

captures multiple dimensions such as access to food, healthcare, sanitation and education (WFP et al 2005).

Nutritional status can be a potent measure of both recent and current levels of food security within a household

where healthcare, sanitation and education are not problematic. 46 The human body requires dietary energy intake for its expenditure of energy, which is dependent on the basal

metabolic rate (BMR), i.e. energy expended for the functioning of an individual in a state of complete rest, for

digesting food, metabolizing food and storing an increased intake and for performing physical activities. The

actual amount of energy needed will vary from person to person and depends on their basal metabolic rate

(BMR) and their physical activity level (PAL). Additional energy for growth in the case of children and for

pregnancy and lactation for women has also to be taken into account (FAO –SIFSIA (2010).

32

pattern across the state and lack of funds to make appropriate surveys for assessment of

energy intake and other poverty and food insecurity indicators. The reviewer suggests,

however, a reasonable HEA survey from the bottom 60% of the population, ranked in terms of

real per capita consumption, and obtains its average consumed food bundle for each locality to

be set as an indicator for daily energy intake. This shall not only identify the consumption

patterns of the population of poor localities but also reflect better the preferences of the poor

and hence their actual energy intake using calorific conversion factors to transform the food

bundle into calories.

The FSN SA reviewer thinks that, taking total food produced/consumed divided by number of

households is not a meaningful indicator for proper FSN analysis but remain as the second best

choice.

Water and sanitation environment

Good quality drinking water supply free from water-borne diseases including the provision of

hygienic food is a main target for any local and state government. In this respect, Blue Nile

state has to do a lot to improve the living conditions of rural areas, particularly elimination of

water fetching chores for women and children who exert tremendous physical and financial

efforts to obtain a minimum amount of drinking water in areas away from traditional sources

of water. Available and accessible clean drinking water would enable younger to focus on

education and income-generating activities as water supply sources will be closer and more

hygienic. In the absence of clean water, people often resort to polluted hafiers, water points or

wells and other non-recommended sources to obtain this valuable commodity. Successful

achievement of this goal will contribute not only to reducing the mortality rate, particularly

among children, but also help increasing life expectancy.

While the FAO SIFSIA National Households Baseline Survey (2010) showed 39.9% of the

population in the state has access to improved drinking water, the recent S3M information in

Blue Nile state showed 84.9% improved access to drinking water and 73.3% has access to

improved sanitation. However, these figures may reflect the situation in areas reached by

surveyors as many areas were left inaccessible due to security reasons.

Associated with clean drinking water is availability and accessibility to household and public

latrines, which and for sure, enhance the environmental sanitation by preventing the development

and spread of water-borne and other insect-vector diseases, and ultimately limits the deterioration

of community living conditions, etc. No information is currently available about the number of

household latrines and public latrines in schools and public facilities at large and available

information are only partial. Facilities in terms of better access to improved sanitation will lead to

decline in the spread of water-borne diseases and diseases due to lack of hygiene. Water

management committees for the implementation of hygiene and sanitation measures may be a

useful suggestion in this regard.

Health facilities

The health systems and clinical support is generally below average and quality of the primary

Health Care (PHC) services are still below internationally recognized Sphere standards (Table

3.10). Children, women, people with disabilities, and the elderly, are at a particular

disadvantage. Despite the substantial increase in numbers of health services in the state over

the period 2010-2014, however, hospitals and medical centres are not well equipped for

providing required services due to underfunding of these institutions and consequently affect

all the life aspects of many patients.

33

Table 3. 10: current situation of health services in Blue Nile state. 2015

Basic health units Health centre Hospitals Grand total

Locality Family health care units family care centre working centre

Bau 6 1 0 1 8

Giessan 28 3 3 2 33

Damazin 16 15 10 4 35

Tadamon 3 3 2 2 8

Kurmuk 7 1 1 2 10

Rosaries 44 10 7 3 57

Total 104 33 23 14 151

State MoH: WHO office in Rosaries, 2015

Table 3.10 shows 14 hospitals in the entire state, but Damazin and Rosaries shared 50% of

this number besides having the relatively equipped ones. This justifies why people move from

peripheries to the centre in search of good health services (see photo). However, even the

service provided by these health centres are still poor compared to Khartoum and or any

nearby state like Gezira or Sinnar.

Being a war affected area, Blue Nile state will still continue to suffer from avoidable

morbidity and mortality cases due to spread of communicable diseases like diarrheal diseases,

malaria, and other diseases. Current morbidity and mortality figures, however, are available47

47

As showed below the most cause of morbidity is diarrhoea followed by fever and then ARI

Table shows Child Morbidity (Source: Department of nutrition. Ministry of Health, B. Nile state)

Diarrhoea ARI Fever Livelihood Zone Est. LCL UCL Est. LCL UCL Est. LCL UCL A Southern riverine mixed semi-mechanized agriculture 59.3 58.4 60.4 33.8 31.3 35.8 47.9 44.3 51

Damazin and Rosaries town 60.4 57.8 63.2 24.7 23.3 26.1 26.7 25.4 28.1 Southern riverine small-medium scale cultivation 74.1 72.3 75.9 39.9 37.3 42.2 47.5 45.8 49.3

34

other than the ones relating to 2013 and 2014. All aspects of outbreak control (surveillance,

case management, health education, vector control, vaccination and inter-cluster coordination)

continue to face challenges mainly due to limited financial support and trained staff.

On the other hand, reproductive health which serves as a key aspect of general health needs a

special attention where reproductive health units in the Blue Nile state are lacking.

Professional registered midwives are accounting for 520 but not sufficient to cover entire

state, particularly areas with lots of taboos, bad habits and behaviours that seriously affect

women’s health (Table 3.10). Current number of midwifes is circa 520 with a gap of 370 that

need be filled to sum up to 900 in order to cover the entire state. Community and health

education sessions that go together with the medical and nutrition care are crucial in this

respect to improve general health and nutrition.

3.4 Stability of availability of and access to food

Shocks and hazards that frequently occur in the State (floods, drought, market

conflict, price fluctuations, etc.)

The Blue Nile state showed no food gaps in stable food crops (sorghum and millet) during the

last years for what has been produced in cereals is apparently sufficient to fill in any gap in

the state, provided that exports to other states are closely monitored to avoid such gap event.

Despite this fact, the results of the recent UNICEF survey (S3M 2013) and also reports from

the state MoH showed that larger proportions of the population under five in Blue Nile are

food-insecure, had limited or no access to sufficient, nutritious food, and most probably eating

less than the minimum required amounts to live a healthy life.

Information on cyclical drought due to rainfall shortages is not well documented or readily

available to make any forecasts for upcoming events from previous information except for

rainfall48

which is just a single factor among other important ones that need to be known to

make such anticipations. However, it has been very common that farmers’ decisions to

cropping are usually related to rainfall -fear of poor and irregular rains- while lack of access

to agricultural inputs, fluctuations in market prices are also good reasons that impede farmers’

decision to timely sowing their crops.

Early warning information

Well established early warning set up can be a helpful and highly effective tool for saving

lives and property against natural hazard events before or after they occur. However, FSN

early warning systems in the state are still evolving and more efforts are needed to reach the

stage of reliable preparedness and prompt response systems to warn early against disasters

whether natural or market risks.

The ground foundation for early warning system (EWS) was laid by SIFSIA N (2008-2012)

covering some crop market in the state (DCM) and linked with other markets in the country

for market information management and analysis. Outputs of this baseline information are

used to forecast and warn authorities on upcoming events as natural risks and price hikes.

Currently, however, there is a real gap in information collection tools and analytical capacity

of FSN related institutions, particularly in Damazin Crop Market (DCM) besides lack of

adequate coordination with other stakeholders.

Up-to-date scientific and technical early warning system (soft and hard ware) needs to be

established in the state within this FAO FSPS Programme life cycle. Of course, IPC periodic

State 68.6 67.8 69.8 36.6 35.2 38.1 45.4 44.2 47.1 48 Meteorological authorities keep adequate data on rainfall and other parameters from specific areas in the state.

35

bulletins produced with the help of MoA, FEWSNET, and other partners are quite useful but

remain insufficient in the absence of a properly established, guided and operated EWS.

For improving the performance of FSN, further capacity building in early warning is required

as per parastatal institutions involved. Worth to note is that, the existing FSN information

system can serve as both early warning and monitoring tool beside its role as a long term

policy decision tool. However, ground indicators (price of staple food, nutrition indicators and

trends) have been set up and need to be strengthened at state/locality level, as there are only

few FSN bulletins being produced over the past years and on quarterly basis.

Strategic Grain Reserve

Strategic reserves is the forgotten story in most states as it is considered a federal concern

often operated by strategic reserve authority49

though each state has to develop and establish

its own strategic reserve stocks and also storage vessels. In Blue Nile state there is lack of

storage vessels to store enough food. The state’s cereal production is usually transferred to

other states either to be stored there or directly traded. Such gaps need to be addressed by

both SRCo and the state authorities. Noteworthy is that, federal authorities usually purchase

an amount of sorghum for public sector employees (20,000 tons), distribute part of it to

government employees to be stored at home and keep a smaller amount to release for

maintaining reasonable market prices.

However, it is not clear who purchases the buffer stock and for how long would it be kept and

who decides to release the stock thought obviously is thought to be the national strategic

reserve authority, which is currently supervised by the ABS (Agricultural Bank of Sudan).

However, there are some coordination links between the federal institutions and the state

authorities in buffer stock reserves but even this remain weak.

Disaster management policies and structures (institutions) in the State

The importance of disaster management systems and policies arises from the fact that massive

private and public resources can be mobilized very rapidly and very effectively in case a

sudden disaster strikes the state, particularly emergency food needs in remote areas as a result

of floods, wars or famine droughts50

. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs (HAC) is

responsible for coordinating disaster management activities in Sudan whereas SRCo has the

mandate to distribute food to vulnerable groups at times of emergency and to stabilise the

price of grains whenever necessary.

49 SRC is a parastatal and autonomous body established in 1998 as a department within the Ministry of Finance

and National Economy to deal with the food emergency situations when arise. The corporation has since then, undertaken several transformations, the last of which is the establishment of the Strategic Reserve Corporation in

2004 for realizing food security at the national level. Currently the SRC is under the umbrella of ABS and

indirectly supervised by the Federal Minister of Finance and National Economy.

50 FAO literature states that disasters and food insecurity are directly interconnected. For instance, floods can

spoil food, destroy agricultural, livestock and fishing and food processing infrastructure, assets, inputs and

production capacity. They interrupt market access, trade and food supply, reduce income, deplete savings and

erode livelihoods. On the other hand, drought, plant pests and diseases such as locusts and worms, animal diseases like African Valley fever, and food contamination or adulteration have a direct economic impact by

reducing or eliminating farm production, by adversely affecting prices, trade, and market access and by

decreasing farm income and employment. Economic crises such as soaring food prices reduce real income, force

the poor to sell their assets, decrease food consumption, and reduce their dietary diversity and access to safe and

quality food. Disasters create poverty traps that increase the prevalence of food insecurity and malnutrition (FAO

2013).

36

Although federal authorities have subsidiary links to state level institutions regarding

emergency preparedness, it is obvious that the current situation is not appealing and greater

resources, stronger commitments need to be made to broaden the preparedness51

involvement

in FSN to involve other essential stakeholders. Clear understanding of the preparedness issues

and true interagency collaboration has to be established. The report looks forward to

developing creative strategic mechanisms for improving IPC analysis of preparedness

together with Early Warning System to capture events of lean as well as fat years, floods, and

livestock pests and diseases, etc.

3.5 Food Balance Sheet (averages for the last 5 years)

National Food Balance Sheets (NFBS) are important for identifying food availability52

and

are usually assembled at the country level data on the production and trade of food

commodities (FAO SIFSIA 2010). The NFBS also serves as a mean to summarize the

aggregate impact of a shortage in domestic production in a year when domestic production

experience severe shortfalls. The NFBS thus provides a quick overview of the expected

aggregate food supply situation in the country during the coming marketing year.

In this connection, an attempt is made, however, to simulate this situation and construct a

State Food Balance Sheet (SFBS) since trade with neighbouring countries (Ethiopia) is most

likely to continue as well as the continuously observed trade flows with other states. Despite

the meagre information on real stocks at the state level, a supply/utilization account53

is

prepared for cereal grains –mainly sorghum and millet- in weight terms (MT).

Using available information on seed rates, waste coefficients, stock changes and types of

utilization (feed, food, processing and other utilizations) a matrix sheet was constructed and

showed in Tables 3.11. In this table, a five years average (2010-2015) is taken to calculate the

SFBS to ensure stability of supply production and this is compared to the most recent data of

the year 2014/2015. The estimate of aggregated needs for human consumption is based on

estimates of actual per capita staple food consumption in recent “normal” years (146 kg/

annum).

In this model, opening and closing stocks are assumed 10% of quantities traded taking into

consideration the low storage capacity of the Blue Nile state. The Cereal Balance Sheet

simulation suggests that the production is insufficient to meet its domestic requirement and

will be able to cover cereal requirements for marketing year 2015/2016 despite the variable

rainfall as experienced in previous five years. The estimates suggest that: 65 thousand to 39

thousand MT of cereals (most probably wheat, wheat flour and or sorghum) will be needed to

meet requirements of the states, unless a substantial proportion of this deficit is already

available as on-farm stocks (underground pits or conventional warehouses).

51 Although it is not the aim of this report to analyze the disaster management tools and policies in details

however, an overview of the ‘importance’ of the disaster management structures and policies will greatly aid the

efforts of the FSTS (and later the Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP)) by Wali Office to analyze the

disaster preparedness and readiness of the state.

52 Food availability: the amount of food that is physically present in a country or area through all forms of

domestic production, stocks, commercial imports and food aid. In the specific context of a food balance sheet,

projected food availability is the total amount of staple food that is expected to be available in the country (or

area) during the coming marketing year including opening (carry-over) stocks, domestic production, public- and

private-sector commercial imports, and food aid (FAO WFP 2009).

53 The balance sheet gives an indication of whether the country/state is in surplus or deficit with regard to

cereals, and hence of its import requirements (Republic of Sudan 2015). The food component of the commodity

account, which is usually derived as a balancing item, refers to the total amount of the commodity available for

human consumption during the year (FAO SIFSIA 2010).

37

Table 3.11: Aggregate Food Balance Sheet (000 MT) B. Nile State for the period 2010-2015

AVG 5 Yrs 2010-2015 2014/2015

Domestic availability (1) 136 172

Opening stocks 8 7

Production 128 165

Total utilization54

(2) 201 211

Food use at 146 kg/cap/year (with 3% growth per annum) 55

149 149 Feed use

56 6 8

Seed use57

3 1

Losses (12% of production) 15 20

Exports 19 26

Closing stocks 8 7

Total Import requirement (2-1) -65 -39

Commercial imports (MT) -63 -37

Food aid received and/or pledged 2 2

Based on data obtained from MoA and other sources (FAO WFP 2014) & FAO (2015)

54 According to the quasi crop and food supply assessment mission– January 2012 , average per person cereal consumption is assumed to be 146 kg/annum, comprising 73 kg of sorghum, 15 kg of millet, 55 kg of wheat, 2

kg of rice and 1 kg of maize(FAO SIFSIA 2012). 55 Assumes 10% for waste & seed req. is 1.5% for Sorghum, 2% for millet and 5.5% for wheat and 3% average

for all cereals and pulses and oilseeds and see note 10 for oil (SIFSIA N 2012) or see below option

56 In the absence of any survey data and based on previous study in 2012 (FAO SIFSIA 2012), it is estimated

that about 5 percent of the sorghum, millet and maize produced is used as livestock feed. 57 Seed requirements for next season are based on average rounded planted areas and the following seed rates:

sorghum 7.5 kg/fed x # million fed; millet 4 kg/fed x # million fed; wheat 120 kg/fed x # million fed; maize 20

kg/fed x ## fed; and rice 75 kg/fed x## feddan.

38

4 FOOD SECURITY COORDINATION MECHANISMS AND POLICY

ENVIRONMENT

The main goal of this section is to provide information and analysis on the FSN policy and

environment at the state level to help developing a common understanding of major FSN

policy issues and opportunities facing agriculture and rural development sectors in order to

maintain a sustainable food security and nutrition status. The section describes the current

food security policies and provides an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the existing

FSN policies and programmes in the state. This includes, among others, agricultural and

nutrition policies and programmes, coordination mechanisms, and policy environment as well

as actionable recommendations to address the gaps identified. Besides the documents and

information availed from secondary information sources and personal communications with

stakeholders, the reviewer of the FSN situation has made a through synthesis and distillation

of the various FSN policy papers presented in various FAO-FSPS Programme workshops and

forums held in May 2015 and thereafter.

4.1 Food security and nutrition inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms and

institutional setups in the state

Major human and institutional food security gaps are still present and coordination

mechanisms among concerned institutions are still restrained and need to be strengthened,

particularly in the areas of health and nutrition, nutrition education and water hygiene and

sanitation. Along with these, the situation analysis has identified some functional constraints

in relation to the FSN structures in some public sector institutions as reflected in poor

organization of these FSN institutional setups and weak coordination mechanisms with both

the FFSTS and SFSTS as well as with other essential stakeholders. However, some

improvement in performance of the SFSTS and food security committee (FSC) and the

downstream components at the locality has occurred due to various training and capacity

building activities performed by the FAO FSPS Programme since the last mid-term review

assessment of September, 2015.

Observed are the many FSN initiatives running side by side with the FAO FSPS Programme

in Blue Nile State involving the WHO, UNICEF and recently, the WFP and INGOs like (WV

and MUBADROON NGO). However, there is a minimum coordination but each runs on its

own –independently- with some overlaps. The reviewer of this current FSN situation is of the

opinion that, efforts of these institutions are currently divergent and has to be integrated and

in all Food Security and Nutrition domains. The best option to address these FSN issue is

through a consortium led by a supervisory body in the state if the FSN overall objective(s) are

to be realized concurrently. However, the previous FSPS Programme review assessment drew

attention to such coordination leakages, particularly, the linking of the FSPS Programme

activities (capacity building and training with those initiatives which provide hardware

support by a multitude of donors) to Government institutions, INGOs, and other CBOs

dealing with various similar programmes, a matter that requires reading and understanding

these issues within the overall food security and nutrition policy framework together with

other sectors’ related policies (FAO-FSPS Programme Review Assessment 2015).

The specific efforts of FAO and other partners engaged in resilience programmes (FAO &

WFP has just started again) have to be harmonized with the State’s priorities and their FSN

projects are to be implemented in coordination with the relevant government institutions if

food security is to be achieved. Worth to note is that, the Food Security and Nutrition

coordination mechanisms at the federal level –FFSTS- are not yet functioning to their full

potential at the state level despite the establishment of the Higher National Food Security and

Nutrition Council even in the 12 non-targeted states by the FSPS Programme. Similarly, the

39

FSN technical working groups and forums at the state level might have not yet functioned

effectively.

For that reason, a multi-sectoral coordination mechanism that brings together all essential

FSN stakeholders needs to be established and meet quarterly a year. Such forums will enable

stakeholders update one another on food security and nutrition interventions being

undertaken, share lessons learnt in implementing FSN activities at various levels and provide

opportunity for peer evaluation and make recommendations for future interventions. Without

such coordination meetings, at least with essential partners many stakeholders may lose the

interest and sense of cooperation as well as missing the chance to learn the state of the art on

different food security and nutrition issues.

Whilst coordination among FSN institutions is important at the state level similar mechanism

at the national level are also equally important. The SFSTS has to facilitate the establishment

of FSN stakeholders meetings through the state FSC, especially in the localities that have the

highest FSN problems, viz. malnutrition and food insecurity symptoms. On its part, the

SFSTS has to encourage the FSN partners to develop their annual FSN plans jointly with her

and oblige each partner to share its plans with the SFSTS board. To enhance this joint

collaboration, the SFSTS has to establish a mechanism to review performance on these

aspects periodically and ensure that FSN partners buy into or contribute to the overall FSN

plans/activities through this performance review mechanism. In this respect, the SFSTS has to

consider that it is an integrated FSN entity –though hosted in the MoA- and not a department

in the Ministry of Agriculture. To ensure this being realized, the SFSTS coordination and

planning mechanisms has to be broad based and multi-sectoral as possible and include

agriculture/livestock/fisheries institutions, nutrition, health and education, besides the

academia and the private sector.

4.2 Previous food security and economic development polices

As in many other states, the understanding and practice by most government institutions in

Nile state is that, there is no FSN policy per se58

and therefore all issues are being combined

with other sectors’ policies using the sectoral development approach. In this approach food

security policy is masked off and does not stand clearly, instead has been embedded within

other sectoral plans thus difficult to follow, implement and evaluate. The FSN SA reviewer

felt the need to expand and develop the policy instruments mentioned in the food security and

nutrition -together with several other sectors of trade, investment, and industry policy

framework- in order to implement the FSN policy measures which contribute to food security

and nutrition.

In conclusion, the policy frameworks developed by sister line ministries usually describe its

vision, mission, and goals in line with Government priorities and do not trickle down to

programmes and projects with SMART goals and objectives, and therefore, remain broad and

impractical. The reviewer of the FSN SA is of the opinion that things could have been done

differently in a way to contribute to and address the food security issues better than just

stating a vision without down streaming –by breaking them down- into programmes and

projects that have direct link to food security. For instance, the MoA has a number of good

and innovative ideas, statements, and interventions which can potentially contribute to food

security and only needs systematic realignment of those descriptions into appropriate policy

objectives capable of contributing to food security through an appropriate monitoring tool.

58 Proper documentation is a serious challenge in the B. Nile state to the extent that one can say there is no

documentation system at all or at least the reviewer has not obtained the policy drafts.

40

Once policy objectives are made clear, appropriate policy measures, institutional

arrangements, time frames and budget allocations can be worked out during a well defined

strategic development plan and defined period.

4.3 Existing food security related sector policies, strategies, and programmes

As mentioned earlier, there is no well articulated FSN policy and most of the current FSN

policy objectives made by the MoA such as increasing yield and production for availing food,

increase exports, enhance horticultural production, support to small scale farmers and natural

resources management (FAO-FSPS 2015) are open-ended. These and many other policies

related to other sister line ministries (elimination of multiple taxes, provision of inputs, etc)

remain slogans with insufficient budgets allocated for. However, if these stated policies are

enforced through financial legislations it could help greatly in improving access to food and

stabilizing prices.

On the nutrition side, nutritional awareness, food quality and safety, hunger and malnutrition

combating are the most apparent policies merged with many other activities considered as

policies in the MoH plan (FAO-FSPS 2015). Availability and accessibility to clean and safe

drinking water is a major policy for reducing environmental hazards (FAO FSPS 2015).

In Blue Nile WV is one of the INGOs working on FSN Programme by linking small farmers

with markets through a project funded by EU. The project targets small traditional rain-fed

producers in agriculture and animal production in few localities linking them with

commodity, services, credit, insurance markets and agricultural extension services, etc.

Coordination between this project funded by the EU and the FAO FSPS Programme is

minimal. Worth to note is that, available information does not support the sector policy

planning or FSN policy. There are a number of other policies that address financing of

agriculture, marketing and price stabilization policies, provision of improved seeds, water

harvesting polices, and adoption of new technologies (Ibid 2015). The reviewer suggests

disaggregating the information at the state/locality by occupations related to animal

production and marketing, fisheries production and marketing, agribusiness SMEs (food

processing, poultry keeping, beekeeping, rural blacksmithing, etc. in order to assess and

design appropriate project or programmes at the downstream level.

However, lack of institutional arrangements for the implementation of proposed objectives

and enforcement of measures is a serious gap which must be addressed. Above all, stand the

lack of budgetary allocation for the proposed FSN objectives appear as another gap which

needs to be addressed.

4.4 Implementation status of food security policies, strategies, and programmes

Many interventions have been made by the FSPS Programme in strengthening the FSN policy

sector but the impact has been slow, and changes in the FSN status of people in the state

could hardly be detected in the short run. This might be a result of the fact that the actors in

the FSN sectors have not been adequately addressing the underlying causes of the FSN

problems, which are multifaceted and require adequate coordination; otherwise any

improvements in the FSN sector might be hard to achieve. Another hypothetical reason relate

this to the underfunding of the many projects and programmes, be it government or UN

agency funded, particularly the EU Programmes.

The analysis revealed gaps in monitoring and evaluation of FSN programmes implemented by

the government and this is attributable to the security situation in localities of Bau, Kurmuk

and Giessan. However, UN agencies and INGOs follow strict M&E for the FSN and usually

write midterm evaluation reports. The state authorities -through the SFSTS- have to follow

the same in order to overcome future challenges and problems.

41

Worth to note is that, this situation analysis supports many of the excellent recommendations

provided by the previous FSN Programme reviews and mid-term evaluations –made during

the past months/years- and has mentioned them again to support of FSN and serve as a

reminder for what has already been formulated, implemented and documented. This is

because much has already been written in terms of FSN policies, reviews, and

recommendations, but too little has been done to implement high-impact interventions in a

concerted way, though some interventions are starting now in Blue Nile state.

4.5 Challenges and constraints related to policy development and implementation

Lack of policy objectives and policy measures for contributing to the availability and access

dimensions of food security is perhaps one of the most common features of many sector

development policies in many states and Blue Nile state is not an exception. Therefore the

factors that impede the achievement of FSN policies (road construction linking agricultural

areas or grain market access centres, shortage of water, insufficient rain, malnutrition and

diseases spread, etc.) have to be considered a serious challenge. To overcome this challenge,

FSN policies have to be set by specific, verifiable, achievable, measurable, and time bound

indicators and each FSN sector has to address and endorse these indicators adequately when

reviewing its current FSN policy framework before being endorsed to the high FSN panel for

evaluation, monitoring and follow-up.

Prior and along with these challenges appear some specific gaps as lack of concrete and

independent FSN policy objectives as well as strong and clear policy measures for

contributing to food security and nutrition in the state. The problem may be the lack of well

developed institutional arrangements, weak staff capacity, time frames and budget allocations

for the various FSN programmes and plans, particularly the issues in availability and

utilization pillars.

As this FSN situation analysis report concluded, the main challenges are not only defining the

FSN institutional arrangements, time frames for implementation and lack of budgetary

allocations but also the many inconsistency between the FSN policy frameworks and the state

strategic plan with reference to policy objectives or policy issues that the sector proposes to

address. Taking an example from FSPS Programme, there are a number of functional working

groups and forums that promote the FSN activities and provide coordination at the state level.

However, these food security and nutrition coordination mechanisms and the related technical

working groups are not functioning to their full potential for lack of budgetary resources and

or lack of qualified staff and further due to insufficient information. In addition, the working

groups, which are supposed to be the driving engine for technical inputs in FSN domains, are

less motivated for absence of cash incentives and need to be strengthened to accelerate

progress in establishing the structures and perform the tasks that are essential to addressing

the FSN concerns.

Other than need to endorse clear objectives and policy measures by the SFSTS, particularly

those related to access and stability dimensions of food security, there are also challenges of

earmarking budget allocations and institutional responsibilities for many FSN activities beside

the lack of institutional coordination among key institutions in the state.

The tomorrow’s challenges in Blue Nile state seem to be the shortest way to eradicating food

insecurity and combating poverty. From the reviewed policy documents, the following gaps

and challenges are indentified and need to be considered as of today not tomorrow challenges:

With its soil erosion, compaction and weed infestation, Blue Nile state has continually

faced challenges in conserving its soil fertility coupled with unfavourable natural

constraints and the environmentally destructive semi-mechanized farming practices

42

many farmers perform over decades has made the soils highly eroded and non

productive. The challenge is how to retain soil fertility and increase yields and

productivity again using conservative agriculture.

Much focus has been given to crop dry farming with little attention to livestock and

minor attention to horticultural production while the latter two are potentially

important for food security and for the state’s economy.

There is complete negligence to the agricultural manufacturing and processing

particularly the SME agribusiness enterprising. The state has to revise it priority

settings and put SMEs at the forefront for poverty reduction and income generation as

means of reducing hunger and malnutrition in many localities. This policy when set,

needs to be verified and consolidated and further harmonized with other strategies and

policies in mechanized farming agriculture, particularly the export-oriented policies.

Along with the SMEs, the concept of micro-financing and the practice is questionable

as current practice will need lead to stated objectives in the way they are doing it. A

revision of the whole micro-financing in Blue Nile state is required by mainstreaming

the practices to be more gender balanced.

There is still lack of adequate nutritional knowledge and modest support of the state

government to food insecurity programmes in areas of health & nutrition coupled by

fragile preparedness for disaster and risk reduction or management in case of

outbreaks. The challenge, however, is that there are few standardized indicators of food

security at household level; and the dimensions of household access to current food and

food consumption –without relying on outdated information- are insufficiently taken into

consideration by the existing SFSTS information system.

At the institutional level, and as in many states, there are peculiar challenges facing the IPC

in performing efficiently to support the FSN policies and these are:

i) Unavailability of information at the local level and poor quality of some of the

information especially for the key indicators.

ii) Poor coordination between the Technical Working Groups and the decision-

making organs

iii) Inadequate budgets to enhance the analysis process and draw conclusions. This

impedes the sustainability of the IPC process and deprives the working groups

from being sustainable to take advantage of the accumulated experience.

iv) The IPC depends on estimation of the affected population at every stage and this is

usually a guess from second best sources rather than actual information.

v) The insufficient capacity building for the IPC staff has reduced reliability of IPC

results and this necessitates intensifying the training courses59

for technical

working groups during this FSPS Programme life cycle.

It has been observed that the dissemination of the results of the IPC analysis to decision-

makers and other stakeholders is usually not to the desired level. However, and despite the

substantial efforts exerted by the TWGs in producing these technical outputs, there is a need

to revise what has to be incorporated in the IPC in terms of the required information and what

has to be reproduced in bulletins and other periodicals. The FSPS programme has to provide

the technical support and the necessary financial and logistical support to enable smooth run

of the activities performed by the Technical Working Groups.

59 Of the recommended training in IPC is the Information Support System (ISS) for states. To do this a close

coordination between the National Working Group and decision-makers at the federal and state level is crucial.

43

In its present form, the IPC requires rigorous verification procedure to ensure quality and

reliability of information and this could only be worked out by supporting the establishment

of a reliable and functioning database system. The database and the good information system

from bottom to top would enable proper monitoring and evaluation of the FSN situation.

Despite these aforementioned challenges and gaps, there are new avenues and opportunities in

support of domains of FSN policy:

1. Blue Nile state has been endowed with diverse ecological zone – high potential to

grow diverse agricultural and horticultural crops throughout the year (dry farming and

irrigated agriculture) besides a high potential for forest products (gum Arabic and

ziziphus spine christii and Balanitis aegyptiaca) as well as tremendous livestock

potential and huge fisheries opportunities.

2. Vast and potentially fertile soils to the southern parts of the state (Kurmuk, Giessan

and Bau) can be used for PPPs with the private sector particularly those interested in

food security and nutrition with much possibilities of harnessing disintegrated efforts

if well planned. Such public private partnership (PPP) – just require leadership,

enabling investment environment (be initiated and consolidated by a unique

investment map) and above all peace settlement. Since Blue Nile state has a diverse

investment map, with focus on mining and agriculture, it just requires strengthening

the system for food security mapping and or initiating and strengthening the existing

institutional structures down to the locality level. Such a system shall serve as a basis

for promotion of food security and other development interventions;

3. There are basis for Baseline information on nutrition status and food security–

information are available but need to be structured through a database system. That is

to say, soft and hardware systems are to be strengthened through this FAO FSPS

Programme or any other FSN Programme.

44

5 CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND THE WAY AHEAD

Food security and nutrition is a substantive issue in Blue Nile state that needs to be urgently

addressed. There is also a need for designing a policy focusing on substantive and urgent

efforts to increase agricultural productivity and production, improve health status and increase

awareness on nutrition, reduce geographical and social discrimination and exclusion, improve

market infrastructure and ensure access to food by all population groups in the state.

This FSN SA has included wide ranging recommendations that incorporates agriculture,

livestock, and fisheries. In addition, the FSN situation analysis has elaborated on the

nutritional status, the education and schooling, health facilities, and water and sanitation

measures. The report went further by identifying stability measures and information on FSN

coping strategies and suggested some mechanisms, particularly information on household

exposure to food insecurity shocks. The analysis covered information on livelihoods, income

and expenditures, debt, market availability, access to markets, market prices, impact of shocks

to markets and recovery, and reviewed food consumption and food balanced sheets.

Through the support of the FSPS CB Programme, the state authorities have been sensitized

enough by now to understand the importance of food security and nutrition and began to

gradually include this in their plans. It is presently common to hear about food availability,

access, stability and utilization in FSN forums in the state. It has also been customary to

address the malnutrition aspects as part of food security dimension and further have an in-

depth understanding on nutrition and its indicators (such as stunting, wasting, GAM and

SAM).

5.1 Specific conclusions, recommendations and the way forward

The assessment and analysis of food security situation in Blue Nile state used wide ranging

credible documents from various recognized information sources60

. From the start, the report

synthesized and distilled available FSN information, presented a number of critical reflections

on it and further identified FSN gaps by looking at the overall food security and nutrition

situation in the state over a reliable time span, typically five years.

The most important finding is that, the FSN situation in the Blue Nile state is and will still be

an enormous challenge ahead with other problems and in all food security and nutrition pillars

and domains, which require collective action. Despite this fact, the data availability and the

reporting frequency of food security information in the state are barely satisfactory. However

greater effort has been exerted to compile as much information as possible to make this report

appear in the way it looks. This is because the current FSN information systems are still

evolving and require sometime to be well suited for assessing detailed FSN situations through

sufficient, reliable data and up-to-date information.

The FSN SA showed a high level of food insecurity in the entire rural areas of the state with a

more chronic nature over the past years. In the 2015, the IPC showed that 18% are food

60

There are three regular surveys that collect data on food security and nutrition and are:

1. Sudan Household Health Survey

2. Annual Needs and Livelihoods Assessment

3. Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission

Since there is a general convergence/divergence of information between the different providers the FSN SA

reviewer has cited only those of a high degree of standardisation on food security information (IPC, UN agencies

and INGOs reports).

45

insecure61

. However, the frequent food insecurity crises, the nutritional status, disease and or

infections (malaria and diarrhea) are of considerable concern to FSN authorities but have little

to do. This highlights the need for early warning systems and emergency preparedness in state

with clear guidelines and procedures to confront any FSN crises.

Capacity building of community on nutrition and developing a comprehensive policy

including strong monitoring and evaluation is of paramount importance. Mass awareness and

education on improved health and hygiene, food habit, crop diversification, dietary

diversification, promotion of local/indigenous crops use, balanced food, importance of micro-

nutrient/macronutrients, etc are just some of the issues that need to be undertaken throughout

the state, particularly in remote areas. Strengthening and dissemination of knowledge,

including indigenous knowledge, experiences and skills and good practices on food security

and nutrition could help in improvement of nutrition status in this regard.

Other specific findings, conclusions and recommendations are grouped in such a way to

facilitate their following up and drawing appropriate suggestions for each of them. However,

all these recommendation revolve around: increasing the state's self-reliance for basic

foodstuffs, improving the overall nutritional situation, enhancing standards and safety of

foodstuffs which are available in markets, enhancing the capacity for managing food

insecurity when arise and improving food/water access for people and groups prone to food

insecurity.

Crop and horticulture production and processing

1. Given the ecological diversity of the Blue Nile state, the current situation for food security

major thrust has to be given apex priority in order to improve yields through improving

soil fertility, using improved seeds (HYV) to boost production of food grains through

conservation agriculture and also horticulture in irrigated areas and permanent water

reservoirs. Conservation agriculture for export and food security (bio-food) through

sustainable use of resources is an alternative option that contributes to economic growth

and therefore has to be the spearhead.

2. The state’s Cereal Balance Sheet simulation model suggests that the production in Blue

Nile state is insufficient to meet its domestic requirement and some imports of wheat are

usually required to cover cereal requirements for marketing year 2015/2016. The

estimated trade flows suggest that: 65 thousand (five years average model) to 39 thousand

MT of cereals (Model of year 2014/2015, mainly wheat and or sorghum) may be needed

to meet requirement of the state. A substantial proportion of the deficit is assumed

available in stocks (conventional warehouses and or underground pits).

3. For this reason, state authorities have to increase domestic food availability –crop and

livestock- by improving traditional farming methods and inducing technological changes

that increase crop yields. Improving crop productivity using improved cultivars and high

yielding varieties (HYV) is one of the strong recommendations that need urgent attention.

4. Horticultural cropping is promising in Blue Nile in riverine areas and other places suitable

for growing vegetable crops and legumes like termis, pulses besides tomato, egg plants,

sweet pepper, and cucumbers which are important for FSN.

61 These data are underestimated with an error in population number. Nutrition gap analysis has recently been

completed with funding support from UNICEF (S3M 2013) under responsibility of federal MoH.

46

5. To boost production of above mentioned crops/commodities, manufacturing and

processing industry has to be accelerated to serve as a forward and backward linkage to

agricultural and livestock production. Surprising is that there is no single factory in the

state for manufacturing of fruits or vegetables, despite the huge quantities produced

Livestock and fisheries production

6. Improving traditional livestock keeping, modern farms that uses technology that increases

livestock productivity and milk production (artificial insemination, genetic improvement,

epidemics control, etc.) is essential both for local consumption (FSN objective) and export

(cash crops/commodities).

7. For a real enhancement of the fish sector, the state authorities have to continue on

developing fishing services and infrastructure to improve fish handling and processing

facilities and technique.

8. Achieving food security through availability of fish can be made through introduction of

appropriate fishing methods and tools, upgrading the existing fish farming practices and

adoption of small scale fish processing industry in El Rosaries and Damazin for value

addition.

Health and nutrition

15. GAM rates in Blue Nile state are still high and pose a real health problem for children;

however, little is done by MoH and NGOs to address the management of GAM and

reducing the incidence of SAM in the state. The lack of alternative approaches for the

management of GAM underscores the importance of comprehensive malnutrition

prevention programmes in the state.

16. Despite the partial coverage of the state by the S3M survey, the key findings indicated

that all localities of Blue Nile State have a stunting rate classified as high (above 30%)

whereas 3 of the 6 localities have a severe acute malnutrition rate (measured by MUAC)

that is classified as very critical (above 3%) namely Rosaries, Bau and Giessan locality.

Between 2006 and 2010, under-five mortality has decreased from 102 to 78 deaths per

1,000 live births. Infant mortality has fallen from 71 to 57 deaths per 1,000 live births,

and neonatal mortality from 36 to 33 (UNICEF 2014). In summary, the overall situation

is worrying and the efforts toward the achievement of MDGs should continue in Blue

Nile as all results indicated prevalence of malnutrition as a result of chronic food

insecurity rather than acute food insecurity.

17. However, current information based on results of July 2015 Round of CNS in Blue Nile

state describes the nutrition status as critical. The GAM and SAM recorded an average of

8.9% and 1.0% respectively62

(MoH 2015). Nutrition status in this month is significantly

raised compare to last round as GAM rate increased from 27.8% in last round to 31.7 in

this round. This may be due to displacement of population from Bau locality to Damazin

and Rosaries localities

18. Official reports enumerated different factors contributing to affect the health and nutrition

situation in the state, particularly, the household food insecurity, and lack of

infrastructure including health services, lack of trained staff as well as the poor health

education level. The FSN situation analysis suggested some short and medium term

recommendations for enhancing the FSN in the state beside other long term

recommendations. The government has to invest in the health sector, increase nutritional

62 The Sphere cut offs (15-19.9%) Critical (state MoH 2015).

47

awareness, improve sanitation practices and provide access to proper sanitation facilities

to rural populations.

19. Because of high incidence of poverty in some localities (Rosaries, Bao, Kurmuk and

Geissan and Tadamon), larger proportions of families have started to skip or reduce their

daily meals to only two at most. This is not only due to limited overall cereal production,

poverty, but also attributable to the increasing population, and high food prices and low

purchasing power. The climate change, and the continuing drought and sometimes crops-

water-logging beside the weak transport/distribution system and market, especially in

remote areas are also evident and have impact on FSN situation.

20. The food security of many households has further deteriorated due to lack of awareness

in nutrition value and also due to the poor food utilization considering dietary

diversification. For the above reasons, the state government has to invest in the health

sector63

, increase nutritional awareness, improve sanitation practices (such as hand

washing, breast feeding and water treatment) and provide access to proper sanitation

facilities to rural populations. For this purpose, an integrated FSN and Health Policy, has

to be developed and accompanied by an operational action/implementation plan in the

state.

21. The FSN SA also concluded on the importance of providing adequate nutrition -quantity

and quality- for maintaining good health status for all groups. FAO-FSPS Programme has

to invest in capacitating people in nutrition aspects same as other pillars of food security

for the critical role nutrition plays in health and development. For this purpose, the

situation analysis recommends using new approaches to improving the design and

delivery of nutrition services to prevent, reduce and control malnutrition at the policy,

leadership and programmatic levels, as well as to promote coordination and resource

mobilisation where appropriate.

Water and sanitation

22. Improved sanitation, hygiene and access to clean drinking water are important issues that

require attention from both the government and the community as well. The UNICEF &

Government Household Health Survey in Blue Nile (2013) showed that less than 85% of

the population has access to improved drinking water and the 73.3% has access to

improved sanitation.

23. The frequent poor rains in areas away from the Blue Nile contribute to water shortages,

particularly in western and south west area, resulting in poor livestock performance and

reduced access to milk in several pastoral areas. To improve water availability, the

reviewer suggests a water policy together with other several recommendations to be

adopted by the state. The recommendations focused on the need for introducing (i) water

resource management and accordingly the domestic water supply is the highest priority

(ii) design standards for groundwater structures to protect groundwater sources (iii)

maintain water quality monitoring and mapping, and (iv) provide data management and

valuation systems for monitoring and evaluation of the situation ever now and then.

24. This means increasing efforts to increase human drinking water availability and the

challenge facing water governance institutions in this respect is the need to implement

63

The state MoH is doing good efforts but localized around the capital Damazin. With more support it can

provide therapeutic equipment and supplies for the management of SAM, the essential medicines and supplies to

the needy areas at the periphery.

48

actions to reduce inconveniences resulting from intermittent supplies and the public

health risks associated with this. For example there is a need to reviewing the water re-

chlorination strategies (too much chlorine due to lack of laboratory tests) and

implementing mandatory rules for the construction and location of household tanks and

regulating the use of motor pumps to lift water up in a way that deprive those who do not

have from getting water on pipeline.

25. Design and implement water-catchment schemes and dams that provide adequate water

for human and animal and can also be used to minimize agricultural risks by

supplementary irrigation.

Education and capacity development

26. According to the last population census (2008), primary education enrolment was above

average (50.5%) and secondary education attainment (44.3%) while education attainment

index reached 0.577. adult literacy rate was close to 62,9%. Household expenditure on

education was as low as (5-8%) while expenditure on food was circa 62% of household

budget expenditure.

27. Before 2011 events, school feeding was contributing well to FSN for students and pupils

at school though escaped the majority of the same age group not in schools. The ministry

of educations supervised the school feeding programme for school students/pupils and

received support from Zakat chambers, charity people and social support form ministry of

social welfare but all remain on irregular basis and no records are available at the time of

the mission. Prior to 2011, the ministry of education was supporting food programme for

particular localities (Giessan, Bao and Kurmuk) by almost SDG 137 million in a

scholastic year covering a total of 79 thousand in a number of schools.

Strategic food reserves

28. Development of strategic reserves: Information and analysis showed that Blue Nile State

is producing between 128 thousand tons (5 years average) and 165 thousand tons in

2014/2015 that is two-thirds (64%) to three-quarters (78%) what the state usually utilizes

per annum. This draws attention to the need for establishing a buffer stock or strategic

reserves at the state to meet the need of its own and also other states when surpluses

occur. The state Ministry of Finance and Economy has to provide the necessary and

timely finance for purchasing the agreed upon quantities from producers to avoid

distorting local food markets.

29. Since Blue Nile state has no sufficient storage facilities it can coordinate with SRCo

authorities to provide storage space for the states from state which have storage vessels.

Again, there is a need to strengthen coordination mechanisms between the SRCo, the

governmental and non-governmental organizations especially at the level of distribution

and local purchasing procedures to avoid market price distortions.

Market and trade

30. Markets are extremely essential for business development in the state, particularly crop,

livestock and fish markets. This requires improving connectivity (road, rail and air

freight) to increase market access and simultaneously reduce transaction costs of both

market inputs and outputs which is crucial. For example, developing infrastructure and

logistical support of the Damazin crop market is a priority as there are no sufficient

vessels. Similarly, fish markets in Rosaries (Genius) and Damazin are to be equipped

with cold stores and transport, ice boxes, etc., for meeting the local demand and hence

achieve FSN goals.

49

31. Border trade is currently inert though important but remains a federal concern.

Information showed trade between Ethiopia and Sudan but not much in cereals.

Livestock, ginger coffee, garlic and other NFIs are the most common during the last years

prior to 2011. In general, bilateral trade has to be considered in any FSN policy or plan.

Credit and microfinance

32. Encourage microfinance institutions to support or avail microfinance and credit schemes

for agribusiness SMEs and vegetables growers as well as the artisanal fishermen

(working capital to purchase storage refrigerators, boats, etc.) to enhance the FSN output.

33. Develop an initiative for micro financing of food based small to medium enterprises

(SMEs and HBEs)

Summary of livelihood strategies and vulnerabilities

34. The state has to formulate appropriate strategies, approaches and programmes to increase

domestic food availability not through conventional farming methods but have to

emphasize on increasing production, promoting processing, developing and strengthening

agro-business enterprises and services (SMEs), and improving marketing efficiency that

leads to reduce food prices to an affordable level and consequently improve food security

and nutrition status. In this respect the state has to focus more specifically on:

i) Inducing technological changes that increases livestock, fisheries as well as crop

productivity (of land and labour) by using improved cultivars and high yielding

varieties (HYV);

ii) Improving connectivity (road, rail and air freight) to increase market access and

simultaneously reduce transaction costs of both market inputs and outputs (from

market to farm and farm to market), and

iii) Maintain primer prices for farmers as incentive and encourage them to be market-

oriented.

35. Over and above, the FSN situation analysis suggests some of the following short and

medium term recommendations for enhancing the FSN in the state:

Develop regulations to enhance community participation in development through

training for new skills and techniques, particularly human and institutional

capacity of relevant State Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries, and State

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Health and Ministry of

Education, Ministry of finance and investment, etc.

Strengthen the early warning system and disaster preparedness mechanisms to

meet any urgent food insecurity crises in the state.

Enroll the FSN concepts in the school curriculum and study how to continue with

school feeding programmes.

Organize mass media awareness on nutrition and health issues to increase social

awareness, and

Support to establish and maintain state buffer stocks and food reserves.

36. For the long term, the FSN situation analysis suggests some of the following

recommendations in order to enhance the FSN in the state:

Linking the state’s FSN strategy and policy with national FSN strategy through

strengthen agricultural development programmes, particularly those related to food

security, self sufficiency and export.

50

Development of land use planning and improvement of agriculture practices in

mechanized and traditional agriculture as well as irrigated agriculture along the

seasonal streams khors.

Improving agricultural marketing through establishing cold and dry storage

structures and apply measures to improve food quality and safety standards

Organizing mining to avoid irrational expansion in agricultural land.

37. However, the food security situation in every state is to be continuously monitored by the

SFSTS/ FFSTS through a Food Security Steering Group or Task Force that holds regular

meetings and leads bi-annual assessments of both long and short food security situations.

These assessments are to be carried out by multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams

from the state and federal government, UN agencies (FAO, UNICEF, WHO, and WFP)

and other INGOs/NGOs based in the state and or Khartoum. In addition, the IPC

(Integrated Food Security Phase Classification) has to be strengthened to cover all the

state localities and administrative units. In this regard, the state government has to be

committed to implementing the IPC as part of its on-going food security information

system and the SFSTS is to set and provide the institutional structure for engagement of

all actors involved with the IPC.

5.2.Conclusion and recommendations: Issues of general concern:

38. In reviewing the FSN objectives across sister line ministries in Blue Nile State, no sector

policy has been mainstreamed as a food security and nutrition as per se, and this creates

many inconsistencies at the sectoral and sub-sectoral level. Therefore, there is a need for

mainstreaming food security and nutrition – and also other gender sensitive concerns-

across all relevant sister line ministries and at all levels of government to ensure that FSN

targets are clearly known and monitored and institutional roles and responsibilities are

well defined. Confusing is that, the allocations of budgets for all sector policies are

indicated at the ministry/directorate level and sometimes broadly divided into categories

such as salaries (Chapter I), recurrent costs (Chapter II) and development costs (Chapter

III). This appears to be the tradition or a directive from the Ministry of Finance Economic

Planning and Investment nut does not match with programming language.

39. However, it would have been easier if efforts have been made to allocate budgets

according to proposed programme objectives and ensure that these budgets are in

strategic plans or other policy-level documents to facilitate the tracking of progress and

monitoring of achievements. In this concern, therefore, policy formulation formats are to

be adopted in FSN budgets to address food security and nutrition at various levels.

40. Although the reviewer of this FSN situation is aware that addressing chronic issues in

FSN domain requires above all, a deeper knowledge and understanding of underlying

causes, nonetheless, he also understands the reasons on which information are not fully

available for the inefficiency of the current information system in the state.

41. However, the most recent S3M (made by the UNICEF in 2013) has provided additional

insights on those underlying causes that could well be understood when additional

information from other sources are triangulated into this FSN report. Taking into account

the time lapse of this study report, which depends on information far back in history of

the state, the report can be judged as comprehensive for it provided multiyear

perspectives, which are essential to consistently understand the status of those who are

very vulnerable to food insecurity since livelihoods patterns, income and coping

strategies are considerably changing and at a very high speed.

51

42. For this purpose, the following key recommendations deem necessary to tackle major

food security and nutrition challenges in the state:

i) FSN policies and strategies have to be revised and updated periodically to

adequately cover the dimensions of food security including sister line ministries and

institutions (MoH, MoE, MoSWF, MoFEP, MoA, MoAR, SRCo, Strategic planning

councils, etc.). The FFSTS and the SFSTS should play an instrumental role in

supporting the FSN policy and promotion.

ii) The FSN SFSTS has to play an instrumental role in defining and supporting

nutrition roles within the state ministries of health therefore needs both financial

and technical support in the areas of governance and planning as well as in

coordination and technical leadership.

iii) Mapping of FSN competent staff to build qualified human resource (HR) capacity

should be conducted, followed by identification of FSN staff needs for the next 5–10

years (including dieticians, food technologists to be further linked to universities and

National Food Research Centre in Shambat).

iv) An important missing element in the FSN policy advocacy is the ‘learning sites’

which have to be established to strengthen the SFSTS expertise in learning lessons

in, planning for, and monitoring staff on FSN. These sites should link to academic,

training, and research institutions to contribute to improved knowledge and skills in

FSN governance, the translation of concepts into action, and data analysis.

43. The reviewer has observed that the FAO-FSPS Programme laid little emphasis on

nutrition part in terms of promotion and implementation to manage acute malnutrition,

particularly at the state level. To overcome this drawback, nutrition learning (curriculum,

videos, and sites) has to be established in order to strengthen the role of MoH and MoE.

These learning sites are important for providing expertise, learning lessons in, planning

for, and mentoring staff on nutrition linked to academic training and research institutions

to contribute to improved knowledge and skills in nutrition governance, the translation of

concepts into action, and data analysis.

44. FSN specific research on food security and nutrition should be conducted to explore the

economic diversification potentialities of Blue Nile state to effectively serving the

technology development to the benefit of farmers and rural dwellers. However, policy

interventions should be more specific in targeting than the comprehensive strategy

recommended for the entire state. The targeting has to include rural livelihood clusters,

targeting poverty at the borders and marginal areas, and providing support to poor casual

wage labourers in war affected localities.

52

GLOSSARY AND DEFINITIONS

Availability of food: This is the extent to which sufficient quantity and quality of food is

physically present in an area. This includes food found in markets, produced on local farms or

home gardens, or provided as food aid or gifts.

Access to food: Even when food is available, people cannot always access it. Food access is

ensured when communities, households, and all individuals have enough resources to obtain

sufficient quantity and quality of food for a nutritious diet through a combination of home

production, stocks, purchase, barter, gifts, borrowing, or food aid.

Utilization of food: Even if food is available and can be accessed, inadequate utilization of it

will lead to malnutrition. Proper child care, providing a diet with enough energy and nutrients,

safe drinking water, adequate sanitation as well as knowledge of food storage, processing,

illness management, and basic nutrition are essential to achieving adequate food utilization.

The Household Economy Approach (HEA) is a tool that provides a direct estimate of the

food gap by establishing a household “food balance” which matches “resources” (all income

and food sources converted into kilocalorie or cash equivalents) against “requirements” (food

intake and other essential needs converted in kilocalories or cash equivalents). The HEA

disaggregates households by wealth groups. It takes some time to obtain reliable information

from each group interviewed, which therefore imposes limits on sample size and raises

questions about the representativeness of the findings.

Triangulation is the process through which information from different sources is compared

to determine whether or not evidence converges. As a rule of thumb, if at least three diverse

sources provide consistent information, and if there are not significant numbers of sources

providing inconsistent information, then the information can be used with confidence. The

higher the ratio of “consistent” to “inconsistent”, the greater will be the level of confidence.

Average Energy Requirement

It refers to the amount of energy considered adequate to meet the energy needs for normative

average acceptable weight for attained height while performing moderate physical activity in

good health.

Dietary Energy Intake

The energy content of food consumed.

Dietary Energy Requirement

It refers to the amount of energy required by individuals to maintain body functions, health

and normal physical activity.

Dietary Energy Supply

Food available for human consumption is expressed in kilocalories per person per day

(kcal/person/day). At country level, it is calculated as the food remaining for human use after

deduction of all non‐food consumption (exports, animal feed, industrial use, seed and

wastage)

Food Balance Sheet

Food Balance Sheets\ (FBS) is compiled every year by FAO, mainly with country‐level data

on the production and trade of food commodities. Using these data and the available

53

information on seed rates, waste coefficients, stock changes and types of utilization (feed,

food, processing and other utilization), a supply/utilization account is prepared for each

commodity in weight terms. The food component of the commodity account, which is usually

derived as a balancing item, refers to the total amount of the commodity available for human

consumption during the year.

Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is a situation that exists when people lacks secure access to sufficient amounts

of safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development and an active and healthy life.

It may be caused by the unavailability of food, insufficient purchasing power, inappropriate

distribution, or inadequate use of food at the household level. Food insecurity, poor conditions

of health and sanitation, and inappropriate care and feeding practices are the major causes of

poor nutritional status. Food insecurity may be chronic, seasonal or transitory.

Food Security

A situation that exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access

to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for

an active and healthy life.

Household Consumption Expenditure

Household consumption expenditure refers to all monetary expenditure by the household and

individual members on goods intended for consumption and expenditure on services, plus the

value of goods and services received as income in kind and consumed by the household or

individual members of the household. Thus the value of items produced by the household and

utilized for own consumption, as well as the net rental value of owner‐occupied housing and

the gross rental value of free housing occupied by the household, each represent part of

household consumption expenditure.

Household Food Consumption Expenditure

This refers to food consumed by household members during a specified period, at home and

away from home, for example, at restaurants, bars, the work place, school, and so on. It

includes food from all sources, purchased or from garden or farm. Further deductions should

be made to allow for food given away to other households or non‐household members and

visitors as well as for wastage and losses occurring after acquisition.

Household Expenditure

Consumption plus non‐consumption expenditure made by the household, both including food.

Household Non Consumption Expenditure

It refers to income taxes, other direct taxes, pension and social security contributions,

remittances, gifts and similar transfers made by the household in monetary terms or in kind,

including food such as given away, raw or ready to eat.

Household Income

Income is the sum of all receipts, in money or in kind, which as a rule are received regularly

and are of recurring nature, including food.

Kilocalorie (Kcal)

The kilocalorie is a unit of measurement of dietary energy. In the International System of

Units (ISU), the universal unit of dietary energy is the joule (J) but Kcal is still commonly

used. One kilocalorie = 4.184 kilo‐joules (KJ).

54

Macronutrients

Used in this document to refer to the proteins, carbohydrates and fats that are required by the

body in large amounts and that are available to be used for energy. They are measured in

grams.

Micronutrients

Refer to the vitamins, minerals and certain other substances that are required by the body in

small amounts. They are measured in milligrams or micrograms.

Nutritional Status

The physiological status of an individual that results from the relationship between nutrient

intake and requirement and from the body’s ability to digest, absorb and use these nutrients.

Lack of food as well as poor health and sanitation and inappropriate care and feeding

practices are the major causes of poor nutritional status.

Undernourishment

Undernourishment refers to the condition of people whose dietary energy consumption is

continuously below a minimum dietary energy requirement for minimum acceptable body

weight and carrying out a light physical activity for maintaining a healthy life. The number of

undernourished people refers to those in this condition.

55

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Assistance to Support States Policy Papers Preparation (GCP/SUD/038/EC). Paper

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to Support States Policy Papers Preparation (GCP/SUD/038/EC). Paper entitled: Low

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FAO SIFSIA N. Special Report, January 2012

56

12. FAO –SIFSIA N (2010). Food And Nutrition Security Assessment In Sudan: Analysis

Of 2009 National Baseline Household Survey, 2009

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Kenya Urban Comprehensive Food Security & Vulnerability Analysis (KU-CFSVA)

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Analysis

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2011

58

ANNEXES

Annex 1.1: Terms of Reference for the assignment

Food Security Policy and Strategy Capacity Building Programme (FSPS)

Terms of Reference

Food security and nutrition situation analysis and report preparation

Back ground

The Food Security Policy and Strategy Capacity Building Programme (FSPS) is a three-year

programme funded by the European Union (EU) and is being implemented by the Food and

Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Government

of the Republic of the Sudan. FSPS was designed to support the state governments in

addressing the capacity gaps related to: (a) food security inter-sectoral institutional

coordination framework, food security policy and information system; and (b) the line

ministries’ policy planning, budgeting, monitoring and implementation capacity.

Periodical assessment and analysis of status of each pillar that constitute food and nutrition

security is important that it helps to identify trend changes and issues that needs policy

attentions. Government policy and decision makers require well analysed data and

information for making any policy actions. Equally important is that investors and

development partners require well analysed and documented information before making any

decision and put their valuable resources on the ground. When information is properly

compiled and evidence based, the decision making process will be eased and consensus can

easily be reached. There is a need for producing a reference material and well compiled report

that encompassed all dimensions of food and nutrition security and the policy and

programming environment in historical perspective. It is therefore crucial to assess and

compile all available data and produce reports that describe the general food and nutrition

situation of each State that the FSPS programme is operating.

The main activity here is compilation of document based on desk review and consultation

with major stakeholders. The information expected from the situation analysis include, among

others, agricultural and livestock production and relevant statistics that include major crops

and livestock types and their contribution as a means of income and food at household level.

Moreover, source of food and income, multiyear price patterns of major food commodities,

malnutrition rate in multiple years, and food security policy environment are of the issues that

need to be addressed in the situation report. The report expected to be important document to

serve us a reference material for any food security related development intervention in the

state.

Objectives

The objectives of the assessment is to produce a comprehensive document that analyse the

current situation and trends in general food security and nutrition in the four target States

supported by the FSPS programme. The assessment will be supported by a comprehensive

report based on the guidelines attached in Annex I here.

Scope of work

The consultant will be in charge of assessing, analysing and producing well written report on

the overall situation of food security and nutrition with specific reference to the four

dimensions of the food security and the various sub-sections referenced in Annex I. The

consultant will be involved and responsible in undertaking the following major activities;

59

Comprehensive review of available secondary sources, recent assessments, policy

documents, and key internal documents and literature on food security and nutrition trends

and relevant policies in the four States,

Travel to the four States where the FSPS programme is covering and make consultations

with relevant stakeholders to collect and compile all available data sets required for

producing the assessment report,

Make consultations with Khartoum based Government and non-governmental institutions

in order to assess and make use of all available information related to the assignment

Organise a workshop to present the draft report of the assessment in each State.

Deliverables

i) A comprehensive draft report that describes the food security and nutrition situation in

each State, four reports, one per each State. The report will focus and follow the

guideline referenced in Annex I,

ii) Four mini debriefing workshops in each State and one workshop in Khartoum

organised,

iii) A final report that incorporate all comments and suggestions by the PSU, TSU and

other stakeholders in the State and Khartoum level.

Duration of assignment

The consultancy assignment will start as soon as possible and takes 60 days including

workshop organisation and submission of final report. The duration of the assignment breaks

down as below:

6 days - Preparation and desk review work plan preparation in Khartoum

26 days- Travel to the States (6 days in each State including travel)

1 day workshop

27 days - analysis and writing the four reports in Khartoum

60

Annex 1.2: Schedules and Work Plan

Responsibly Week Week Week Week Week Week

1 2 3 4 5 6-8

Phases

Initial phase

Briefing in Khartoum FSPS/PSU/

Consultant

Desk review and analysis Consultant

Design of field work materials Consultant

Inception of formats/interview drafts,

circulation and approval

PSU/consult

ant

Field mission preparations FSPS/consul

tant

Field phase materials preparation

Travels to states

Red Sea Kassala Gedaref B. Nile

Meetings with Gov/SFSTS/STSU for

briefing

Red Sea Kassala Gedaref B. Nile

Gathering secondary information

from relevant ministries thru FSTS

Red

Sea Kassala Gedaref B. Nile

Interviews with INGOs, UN agencies

for FSN SA + secondary information

Red Sea Kassala Gedaref B. Nile

Tabulation, Data entry and

management

Red Sea Kassala Gedaref B. Nile

Processing of primary data

Red Sea Kassala Gedaref B. Nile

Interviews with Farmers/Herds

keepers/Fishermen Trade unions +

secondary information

Red

Sea Kassala Gedaref B. Nile

Data entry and primary processing

Red Sea Kassala Gedaref B. Nile

Collect market information Red Sea Kassala Gedaref B. Nile

Synthesis phase

Food security Situation Analysis

Meta analysis, SWOT, PESTLE,

coping, adaptation & mitigation

analysis

Nutrition/Livelihood analysis

Food markets and supply chain

analysis

Submission of Draft report

Incorporation of comments

State Workshop (Findings, comments)

Workshops (Khartoum)

Incorporation of comments

Submission of final report

Targeted institutions State/Location

Interviewees Red sea Kassala Gedaref Blue

Nile

Khartoum/Federal

a) UN agencies:

FAO

WFP

61

UNICEF

WHO

b) Ministries and institutions:

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Animal Resources

State Ministry of Health

State Ministry of Finance &Trade

Zakat Chamber

Agricultural Bank of Sudan

Strategic Reserves Corporation

c) Trade Unions, Producers & NGOs:

Farmers/Animal Keepers/Fisheries Trade Unions

Agricultural Chambers/Business Union

INGOs/NGOs and Community Associations

62

Blue Nile State Annex 1.3: Schedules and Work Plan Name Position Institution Contact #

People met in Khartoum

Charles Agobia Chief Technical Advisor PSU FSPS & CBP Briefing

Yergalem Beraki PSU, food security analyst FAO PSU, Khartoum Briefing, Programme outlines

&discussion

Mufarah Moh/ National Programme Coordinator PSU, Khartoum Briefing, Programme outlines &discussion

People met in Blue Nile

Siham Hashim Elobeid

Minister MoSWF, B. Nile

Mawahib Ramdan Director, Ministry Of Social Welfare MoSWF, B. Nile 0927160084

Bilal Mohmed Nur DG MoAF, Acting Minister of Agriculture

Ministry of Agriculture

0915802101

Mohmed Tibin State National Program Coordinator, FSPS & CBP

Blue Nile State 0912311970

Elhadi Khairalla Gesm Allah

FSTS Livestock officer Blue Nile FSTS 0918310385

Yasir Bashir Ajbna FSTS Nutrition officer Blue Nile FSTS 0911314853

Mubarak Abdelbasit Medani

Director of Strategic Planning Council Blue Nile State 0902928481

Mohamed Elkhatim Abdella

Strategic Planning Council, Member FSC

Blue Nile State 0918226668

Dr. Abubakar Altahir

Abdella

Director Agriculture Research Station,

(Head of Research Team I)

Blue Nile State 0915456456

0123318094

Yassir Babiker Suliman

Nutrition Department, Nutrition TWG, MoH

MoH 0912487212

Sabna Mubarak Mohmed

Nutrition Department, Nutrition TWG, MoH

MoH 0911300444

Yassir Babiker

Suliman

Directorate Of Planning And Health

Care, Moh

MoH 0912487212

0122311282

Awad El Samani El Shiekh

General directorate of planning and information

MoAFRF 09912667380 0123832727

Babiker Ibrhim Babiker (Sieo Sieo)

Department of Horticulture, director MoAFI 0121242311

Adam Abdel Latif General Director, Livestock &Fisheries MoAFRF 0122910179

Ahmed Mohamed Abu Sas

Director, Pasture And Range Management

MoAFRF 0122803572 0903576554

Hashim Dalil WHO, national technical officer WHO B Nile 0912139448

Abu Obeida Sidig Mohammed

Chief Programme Officer UNICEF Un agency, Blue Nile State

0912177572

Dawa Tyetse WFP, Director B. Nile Damazin office WFP, Damazin office

0912168740

Gad Alla Ahmed El

Nadeef

Manager MUBADROON (NGO) NSA, Blue Nile State 0123270033 or 0911178823

gadallaalnadief64@gmail.com

Sabir Ali Adam Programme Manager MUBADROON (NGO)

NSA, Blue Nile State 0123270043

Gamal Ahemed Salih Osman

Director, Crop Market Blue Nile State 0915119036

Imad Hamad Badawi Crop Market Focal point, Member

policy working group

Blue Nile State 0912599592

Adil Elzain Adam Head IPC Working Group, Deputy Planning Directorate

Blue Nile State 0918025023 0123342727

Atif Mohmed Khier Abu Shoak

Deputy director of ministry of finance and economic planning

0966864880

Omer El tayeb

Masaad

School feeding programme Ministry of

education

MoE, Blue Nile 0918947241

0122891155

63

Annex 2.1: Description of the vegetation cover in Blue Nile state :الوالية شمال -أ

Acacia mellifera الكتر Balanites aegyptica الهجليج Acacia nubica اللعوت : وسط الوالية -ب Acacia seyal الطلح Acacia senegal الهشاب Acacia seyal var. fistula العفار Anogesus leiocarpus الصهب :جنوب الوالية -ج Tamarindus indica رديبالع Loncharpus laxifloris الخشخاش Dalbergia melonoxylon األبنوس Cordia africana اإلندراب Diospyros mespiliformis الجوغان Podocarpus leucans الطرايا Commijera africana القفل Hyphaene ihebacia الدوم Adansonia digitata التبلدي Pseudocedrela rotchyi الدروبة :سفوح الجبال -د Slercula setigera الترتر Boswellia papyrifea الطرق طرق : الخيرانهـ Oxytenanthera abyssinca القنا Acacia nilotica السنط Zizphus spina-christi السدر

64

Annex 2.2-a: Storage capacity, average size of facility by states

Code/State Quantity in metric tons

Average

Standard

Deviation

Coefficient of Variation (SD/Avg) Maximum Minimum

All 15 states 4,798 5,000 1.04 30,000 300

11 Northern 1,345 1,073 0.80 4,410 400

12 River Nile 2,281 1,767 0.77 6,000 320

21 Red Sea 11,865 4,205 0.35 30,000 800

22 Kassala 3,151 3,692 1.17 16,000 400

23 Gedaref 3,096 2,911 0.94 13,500 450

31 Khartoum 5,392 5,171 0.96 28,800 500

41 Gezira 4,848 5,022 1.04 19,250 400

42 White Nile 2,574 2,894 1.12 16,000 450

43 Sinnar 2,839 3,698 1.30 17,600 300

44 Blue Nile 4,120 4,063 0.99 15,000 364

51 Northern Kordofan 3,735 4,425 1.18 16,000 345

52 Southern Kordofan 3,269 4,189 1.28 12,000 720

61 Northern Darfur 8,125 3,750 0.46 12,500 5,000

62 Western Darfur 1,960 953 0.49 2,500 300

63 Southern Darfur 3,600 2,990 0.83 7,500 400

Total storage capacity MT 3,607,839

Source: FAO-SIFSIA, Warehouse Study Field Survey, February 2011.

Annex 2.2-b: Description of Warehouse Ownership by the 4 States

Warehouse ownership (Numbers) % of % By State

Totals Owned Rented Not stated Total* of owned of rented Not-stated

Total 773 599 132 42 100% 77% 17% 5%

Red Sea 121 90 14 17 16% 74% 12% 14%

Kassala 62 54 7 1 8% 87% 11% 2%

Gedaref 122 99 14 9 16% 81% 11% 7%

Blue Nile 19 15 4 - 2% 79% 21% -

Source: FAO-SIFSIA, Warehouse Study field survey, February 2011.

*Figures and percentage are rounded to integer decimals.

65

Annex 2.3-a: Comparative view of Human Development Index and its components, 2013

Human

Development

Index (HDI)

Life

expectancy

at birth

Mean years

of schooling

Expected years

of schooling

Gross national

income (GNI) per

capita

World

rank

Value Years Years Years (2011 PPP $)

2013 2013 2012 2012 2013

Norway 0.944 81.5 12.6 17.6 63,909 1

Egypt 0.600 71.2 6.4 13 10,400 110

Sudan 0.473 62.1 3.1 7.3p 3,428 166

The State

Source: Human Development Report 2014. Sustaining Human Progress: Reducing Vulnerabilities and

Building Resilience. UNDP Annual Report. Published by the United Nations Development Programme

1 UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA

Data obtained from the state are taken from state institutions (MoE, MoH and MoF)

Note that p: Based on cross-country regression.

Annex 2.3-b: Development of Sudan’s Human Development Index over the period 1980-2013

value

Years 1980 1990 2000 2005 2008 2010 2011 2012 2013

Sudan

HDI 0.331 0.342 0.385 0.423 0.447 0.463 0.468 0.472 0.473

Source: Human Development Report 2014. Sustaining Human Progress: Reducing Vulnerabilities and Building

Resilience. UNDP Annual Report. Published by the United Nations Development Programme.

1 UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA

Source: SPCRP Benchmark Survey Report, Blue Nile State March 2009

Rain fed agriculture 70%

Horticulture 8%

Livestock 5%

Fishing 3%

Agricultural labor 1%

Non-agriculture

5%

Undefined 8%

Annex 2.3-c: Rural Household Income according to SPCRP survey 2009

66

Annex 2.4: Computation of HDI as shown by UNDP (2012) Adapted from UNDP (2012).

The human development index (HDI) is a summary measure of human development. It

measures the average achievements in a country in three basic dimensions of human

development:

• A long and healthy life, as measured by life expectancy at birth.

• Knowledge, as measured by the adult literacy rate (with two-thirds weight) and the

combined primary, secondary and tertiary gross enrolment ratio (with one-third

weight).

• A decent standard of living, as measured by GDP per capita (PPP US$).

The standard UNDP benchmarks for the calculation of HDI can be summarized as follows:

For each capability, and each country, region or state, a normalized indicator, Iij is obtained as

shown below, where X is the value of the indicator of capability and Xmax and Xmin are

respectively the maximum and minimum values of these indicators:

Iij = [Xij – X min]/[X max – X min]

For the income dimension, it is the logarithm of income that is used in the computation of the

index. According to UNDP (2003) “income serves as a surrogate for all dimensions of human

development not reflected in a long life and in knowledge. Income is adjusted because

achieving a respectable level of human development does not require unlimited income”. The

HDI for country j is obtained as the simple average of the normalized capability indicators as

follows:

HDIj = 1/3 (Σi Iij)

According to UNDP (2005), the goalposts for calculating HDI are as follows:

- Life expectancy at birth (years): max = 85; min =25;

- Adult literacy rate (%): max = 100; min = 0;

- Combined gross enrolment ratio (%): max= 100; min = 0;

- GDP per capita (PPP US$): max = 40000; min = 100.

The above mentioned formula has been used for the calculation of HDI in Sudan over the

period (1975-2007) and at State level using data of Sudan’s Fifth Population Census, 2008.

To examine the contributions of longevity (health), educational attainment, and income

(standard of living) to HDI in Sudan, firstly calculate the simple averages (means) of each of

these variables. Then calculate the coefficient of variation as a measure of variability in

relation to the mean for each indicator. Furthermore, the least squares growth rate, g, is to be

estimated for all human development sub indicators by fitting a least –squares linear

regression trend line to the logarithmic annual values of the variable in the relevant period.

The coefficient of variation is a summary measure built on other calculations namely, the

standard deviation and the mean. The formula for calculating the coefficient of variation

(C.V) is as follows:

C.V = (S/–x)*100 ………………………………(1)

Where S is the standard deviation and –x is the mean of the variable. Thus, the coefficient of

variation is equal to the standard deviation divided by the mean, multiplied by 100 (to

produce a percentage). Tables 1-4 illustrate the means and contribution of factors to HDI in

Sudan, where the figures inside the parentheses are the standard deviations and those inside

the square brackets are the coefficients of variation.

The trend estimate of the HDI and its sub-indicators is based on the standard inverse semi-

logarithmic trend equation in the natural logarithm. More specifically, the regression takes the

form:

Ln X = a + bt …………………………………(2)

67

In equation (2), X is the dependent variable, t is time, while (a) and (b) are the regression

parameters to be estimated.

The growth rate (g) of the variable of concern is then calculated as follows:

g = (eb –1) × 100 ……………………………(3)

Where (e = 2.71828) is Euler’s constant and b is the trend coefficient. Assuming that

geometric growth is the appropriate “model” for the data, the least – squares estimate of the

growth rate is consistent and efficient.

By applying the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) technique, the trend equation for the human

development sub -indicators and HDI in Sudan over the period (1975-2007) are estimated.

The estimation results are given in (table 5), where the figures inside the parentheses are the t-

ratios of the estimated trend coefficients and those inside the square brackets are the

significance levels.

The estimation results reveal that each of the human development indicators in Sudan as well

as HDI exhibited a positive trend. Furthermore, all trend coefficients are statistically

significant at the 1% level as indicated by the t-ratios. However, the magnitude of the trend

coefficients is so small. In view of the estimated F-ratios, it is clear that all regression

equations are significant at the 1% level.

68

Annex 3.1-a: Household average food items consumption in Blue Nile 2010

Urban areas Rural areas Total of the state

Items Kg. % Kg. % Kg. %

Cereals and its products 147 39 166 47 161 45

Vegetables and its products 64 17 53 15 56 15

Legumes 8 2 4 1 5 1

Tubers 8 2 2 1 4 1

Meat and eggs 28 7 40 11 37 10

Milk and diary products 27 7 19 5 21 6

Vegetable oils 8 2 9 2 9 2

Fruits 45 12 31 9 34 10

Sugars 26 7 25 7 26 7

Soft drinks 11 3 7 2 8 2

Totals 372 100 356 100 361 100

Source: the study of food security and nutritional status of B. Nile state (MoAFI 2010)

Annex 3.1-b: average household consumption of vegetables in Blue Nile state, 2010

Demographic sector

Urban areas Rural areas Entire state

Produce Kg % Kg % Kg %

Anion 27 42 26 49 26 47

Okra 6 9 8 15 8 14

Tomato 15 24 7 14 9 17

Tomato paste 3 5 1 3 2 3

Jews mellow 5 7 8 14 7 12

Other vegetables 8 13 3 5 4 7

Totals 64 100 53 100 56 100

Source: the study of food security and nutritional status of B. Nile state (MoAFI 2010)

Annex 3.1-c: Per capita average annual consumption of meat in rural and urban areas

(2010)

Livestock sector Urban Rural Entire state

Type of meat Kg. % Kg. % Kg. %

Red meat Sheep and goat 5.9 21.3 13.8 34.7 11.8 32.1

Beef 8.8 31.5 6.4 16.1 7.0 19.0

Camel 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1

Dried and canned meat 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.3

Other types of red meat 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Total of red meats 14.9 53.3 20.4 51.4 19.0 51.8

White meats Poultry meat 3.2 11.3 5.9 14.8 5.2 14.1

Fresh fish 5.3 19.0 9.8 24.6 8.6 23.6

Dried or canned fish 0.8 2.9 0.8 2.1 0.8 2.3

Total of white meats 9.3 33.2 16.5 41.6 14.7 40.0

Eggs 8 13.5 2 7.0 3.0 8.3

Grand consumption 28.0 100 39.7 100 36.7 100

Source: (MoAFI 2010).

69

Annex 3.2-a: Quantity produced, available, loss and consumed in litres/person/day

Hand pumps Water stations Hafiers & Nile filters

Quantity produced, available, loss and consumed

in litre/person/day

popul

ation

Workin

g units

Production

CM/day

Workin

g units

Production

CM/day

Workin

g units

Production

CM/day

Production

CM/day

Loss

(8%)

Net

available

CM/day

Litre/per

son/day

81,75 , 15 120 1 18

26

667 805 64 741 8

165,830 206 1648 19 1836

16

33 3517 281 3236 20

144,677 377 3016 12 2880

20

100 5996 480 5516 38

110,116 225 1800 26 474

1

0 2274 182 2092 19

125,990 434 3472 15 1020

20

144 4636 371 4265 34

99,833 304 2432 15 2712

0

0 5144 412 4732 47

734,750 1,561 12,488 88 8,940 90 944 22,372 1,790 20,582 28

Annex 3.2-b: Estimated drinking water for livestock

Livestock 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Total heads 7,460,342 7,734,080 8,018,296 8,313,403 8,619,833 8,938,034 9,268,474 9,611,638

Total water prod

(m³/d) 116,553 120,377 124,331 128,423 132,657 137,037 141,569 146,258

70

Annex 3.3: Global stunting, wasting and MUAC and sanitation conditions by state

State

Rural

Global

stunting

Global

wasting

Mothers

undernourished

MUAC <230mm

Improved

sanitation

facility

Improved

source of

drinking

water

KEY >30% >15% >15% >50% <50%

Red Sea 45.5 20.2 29.6 44.1 27.9

Kassala 54.6 15.2 13.4 13.0 13.1

Gedaref 52.0 13.2 8.5 4.0 46.0

Blue Nile 49.8 18.5 19.1 73.3 84.9 Source van der Heide paper: Source: Food Security and Nutrition Sector Report, Aart van der Heide.

May 16, 2015. Cited from S3M data UNICEF 201364

Data are provided for the four target states that comprise the eastern region for comparison purposes.

64 These figures come from the last UNICEF Sudan S3M 2013 Core Indicator results by locality. It is considered

as the most detailed data source. The national Simple Spatial Surveying Methodology (S3M) survey was carried

out to collect detailed and current data on nutrition status and other health, water and sanitation variables that

may affect nutrition status to ensure a strong evidence-base for expansion of multi-sectorial services to combat

malnutrition. The S3M methodology was chosen because of its ability to give detailed information for small

geographical areas – results are available at sub-locality level for this survey – and its ability to map results

making targeting of interventions possible.