Desertification Research Institute (DRI)

 
1. Introduction
 
Desertification is one of the major problems facing Sudan. More than 2.5 million feddan of the irrigated lands in addition to 7 million feddan in the mechanized agriculture are affected by desertification.
In recent years, research on problems of development in dry and desertified lands received a world wide attention. This is because 1.45 million hectares of total dry lands are suffering from degradation. In these regions desertification is considered as one of the most serious problems confronting the international community.
Recognizing the importance of desertification, the National Centre for Research (NCR) promoted the Desert Research and Development Department  to become Desertification Research Institute [DRI] as from July 2002.Consequently, local, regional and international integrated program to combat desertification become of primary importance.
 
2. Objectives
  1. Undertake basic and applied research in the fields of desertification and dry land considering the human life and ecological problems.
  2. Initiate cooperative local, regional and international research programmes.
  3. Provide scientific research fields for the interested investigators at local, regional and global levels.
  4. Provide models for research in the desertified and dry lands which can be compared with and transferred to similar areas.
  5. Adopt and transfer advanced and recent technologies.
  6. Initiate reserved games and protected areas in order to conserve the natural desert environment and desert wildlife and vegetation for scientific purpose.
  7. Train personnel and disseminate relevant knowledge.
3.  Functions
  1. Conduct research on technologies appropriate for development in areas where water and nutrients are scarce and expensive.
  2. Conduct research on biological, physical and socio-economic problems of arid and semi arid regions and advise on possible curative measures.
  3. Study rain water harvesting and spreading and modern irrigation systems.
  4. Harness renewable energy sources and develop technologies useful in desertified environment.
  5. Provide data on climate conditions which may help to forecast the onset of drought cycles, their magnitude and duration.
  6. Search on methods to enhance existing crop varieties so as to increase  production and  make them more resistant to drought and diseases.
  7. Disseminate results and technologies obtained from the research activities.
4. Research Projects
  1. Collection on information on the climate, fauna, flora and soils in order to build base line data.
  2. Studies on wind erosion.
  3. Breeding drought resistant and quick maturing crops suitable for dry lands.
  4. Desertification monitoring
  5. Biological diversity.
  6. Sand dune fixation
  7. Soil reclamation and conservation.
  8. Animal production in dry lands.
  9. Water harvesting and spreading.
  10. Socio-economic studies.
  11. Range management and Agroforestry.
5. Address:
Mohamed Nageeb Street        
P.O. Box 6096 – Khartoum
Tel: 249-183-476715 – Fax: 249-183-463416
Dr.  Hashim Awadelkarim, Director
E-mail: dri@ncr.sd

Back to Top

Other Institutes

Copyright © 2006-2007 National Centre for Research. All Rights Reserved