Gezira Scheme

irrigation project, Sudan

Also known as: Jazīrah Scheme

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June 29, 2026

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The Gezira Scheme is a large-scale irrigation project located in central-southeast Sudan, between the Blue and White Nile rivers. Established by the British in 1925, it is one of the world's largest irrigation projects, utilizing a vast network of canals to distribute water from the Blue Nile. This system irrigates fields primarily for cotton cultivation, making Al-Jazira the most productive agricultural region in Sudan. The scheme supports over 100,000 tenant farmers who work in cooperation with the government and the Sudan Gezira Board. While cotton is the dominant crop, other crops like cereals, oilseeds, and peanuts are also grown. The project is supplied with water from the Sennar and Al-Ruṣayriṣ dams on the Blue Nile.12

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Sudan
Mechanized agriculture
…areas are centred on the Gezira Scheme (Al-Jazīrah)—with its Mangil extension—between the Blue and White Niles south of Khartoum. Other major farming areas are watered by the Khashm Al-Qirbah Dam on the Atbara River and by Al-Ruṣayriṣ Dam, which provides irrigation water for the Rahad Scheme.
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…areas are centred on the Gezira Scheme (Al-Jazīrah)—with its Mangil extension—between the Blue and White Niles south of Khartoum. Other major farming areas are watered by the Khashm Al-Qirbah Dam on the Atbara River and by Al-Ruṣayriṣ Dam, which provides irrigation water for the Rahad Scheme.
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Al-Jazīrah
…in 1925, the Jazīrah (Gezira) scheme distributes the waters of the Blue Nile through a 2,700-mile (4,300-km) network of canals and ditches to irrigate fields growing cotton and other cash crops. This scheme has made Al-Jazīrah the most productive agricultural area of Sudan. Water for the scheme is supplied…
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…in 1925, the Jazīrah (Gezira) scheme distributes the waters of the Blue Nile through a 2,700-mile (4,300-km) network of canals and ditches to irrigate fields growing cotton and other cash crops. This scheme has made Al-Jazīrah the most productive agricultural area of Sudan. Water for the scheme is supplied…
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Nile River
Irrigation
…of the clay plain called Al-Jazīrah between the two Niles south of Khartoum. The success of this attempt encouraged the construction of more dams and barrages for large-scale irrigation schemes.
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…of the clay plain called Al-Jazīrah between the two Niles south of Khartoum. The success of this attempt encouraged the construction of more dams and barrages for large-scale irrigation schemes.
Read More