Rahad Scheme

The Rahad Scheme is an agricultural area in Sudan that is irrigated by the Rahad River. The Rahad River originates in the Ethiopian highlands and flows northwest into Sudan, joining the Blue Nile. While the river is dry in the dry season, it has a significant flow during the flood season from June to September.1

The Rahad Scheme is one of Sudan's major farming areas, receiving irrigation water from the ar-Rusayris Dam. This scheme, along with others along the Nile, is crucial for Sudan's commercial crop production, with cotton being a dominant crop. Sudan's agricultural sector, though declining in economic importance, still relies heavily on mechanized irrigated farming, mechanized rain-fed farming, traditional rain-fed farming, and livestock raising. Despite its agricultural potential, Sudan has faced economic challenges due to poor planning, corruption, and external economic factors.23