DEVELOPMENT OF THE HORTICULTURAL POTENTIAL OF KORDOFAN REGION OF SUDAN

Kordofan is a vast semi-arid region in central Western Sudan best known for its production of millet, groundnuts, sorghum, gum Arabic and livestock, yet it contributes significant amounts of roselle, pumpkin, tomato, hot pepper, okra, watermelon, and fruits of citrus, mango and guava to Sudan's major marketing centers. Commercial horticultural gardens, 2 – 3 hectares in size, located on the sandy loam flood plains of the network of ephemeral streams in Kordofan, take advantage of residual surface water and groundwater. Roselle, pumpkin and watermelon are often intercropped with cereals on lighter soils, while wild okra is harvested from sorghum and cotton fields on the extensive clay plains. Small gardens are found surrounding hillside homes in the Nuba Mountains and the more permanent nomadic settlements. Nuba Mountains home gardens, planted at the onset of the rains, provide an important source of nutrients particularly in the "hungry season", July - August. Vegetables in Khor-based gardens planted in October or November, when the rains cease, are harvested by March. High temperature and water shortage curtail production April - June and periodic flooding prevents cultivation of plots adjacent to streams July - September.

Most horticultural produce in Kordofan is derived from a few older introduced cultivars, well adapted to the local environment, but, of low to medium market quality and productivity. Inadequate transportation linkages constrain commercial production by limiting the availability of agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilizers, chemicals, etc.) and restricting access of perishable produce to major markets. Small to moderate size processing plants may prove feasible in growing areas if designed to accept a wide range of produce to enable year-round operation and if they can be maintained, supplied and serviced locally.

However, full realization of Kordofan region's horticultural potential requires strengthening of research and extension programmes to provide growers with: improved cultivars, appropriate cultural practices, necessary agricultural inputs, access to tree seedling nurseries, more efficient irrigation methods and credit, especially for small landholders. A shift in the focus of agricultural