on Role of Natural Forage Plants Diversity in Pastoral and Agro-pastoral communities Livelihood

87 Pages·2013·3.12 MB·English

PR-325-Sudan Working paper: on Role of Natural Forage Plants Diversity in
Pastoral and Agro-pastoral communities Livelihood

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PR-325-Sudan Working paper: on Role of Natural Forage Plants Diversity in
Pastoral and Agro-pastoral communities Livelihood

This Working paper: Prepared by: Mohammed Fadl elmoula Idris -Vegetation surveyor
within the framework of PSAP activities

Disclaimer
This Livelihoods and Income Sources in Semi-Arid and Low Rainfall Savannah Ecological
Zones Sudan has been produced with the assistance of the International Treaty on PGRFA. The
contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of < Development of Strategy for Building
the Resilience of Pastoral Communities to Climate Change in Two Ecosystems of Sudan Project
(PSAP)/Range and Pasture General Directorate > and can in no way be taken to reflect the views
of the International Treaty on PGRFA.”

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PR-325-Sudan Working paper: on Role of Natural Forage Plants Diversity in Pastoral and Agro-pastoral communities
Livelihood

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PR-325-Sudan Working paper: on Role of Natural Forage Plants Diversity in
Pastoral and Agro-pastoral communities Livelihood

Acknowledgment
The writer of the working paper extends his sincere thanks to the project manager,
Abdelrahman Mohammed Hamid and assistant project manager Mrs:Sawsan Khair Elseid
AbedelRhim for their confidence and support in consulting me to undertake gathering the
information to prepare the paper . Their genuine help and encouragement is highly
appreciated.
Thanks are also extended to the two project coordinators; Ali Eisa Hussein and Abdallah
Yosif at Kassala and Elobied respectively.
Great thanks are given to the following that helped me to conduct the field work smoothly.
Miss. Amna Ismaeil RPA. Khartoum.
Ali Galbous RPA Kassala.
Mohamed Salih Ahmed Director /RPA New Halfa.
Asim Elamin Assistant project coordinator Elodaiya.
Omer SheikhEddein Director Agriculture Elodaiya Locality.

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Table of contents
Page No
Acknowledgment i
Table of contents ii
Summary iii
Background 1
Terms of reference 2
The project overall objective 2
The Methodology for gathering Information 2
The Ecological zones of the project area 3
Research Findings 20
Actual potential threats to range forage plants 45
Forages priority for conservation, up grading and Capacity building 47
Field survey of the Butana area of Kassala state 52
Suggestions for the up keep and development of the Butana of Kassala State 57
rangelands
Field survey of Elodaya Locality 60
Remarks/Suggestions for up keep and development for Elodaya Locality rangeland 71
Sustainable conservation strategy for Natural Forage plants genetic resources 72
Action plan 74
Conclusion and recommendations 78
References 80
Appendices 81

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PR-325-Sudan Working paper: on Role of Natural Forage Plants Diversity in
Pastoral and Agro-pastoral communities Livelihood

Summary
The project lies in the Semi-Desert and the Low Rain Woodland Savanna Ecological Zones
where the pastoralists and agro- pastoralists live.
Their livestock are dependent on the natural forage plants in the rangeland areas and the by-
products of rain- fed crops .The pastoralists communities besides relying for living on their
animals for food and cash income they resort to the natural forage plants for building, shelter,
medication and food during famine periods.
- Description of the two ecological zones encountering the natural vegetation of the country,
geographical extent, rainfall amount ranges, soil types and forage plants species composition
are given.
- The research findings reflecting the current status of the important natural forage plants
diversity, as important to pastoralists and for the rural communities, the nature and extent of
actual or potential threats are narrated.
- Suggestions of sustainable conservation strategy and action plan for natural forage plants
genetic resources , that leads to improved production and food security with direct
implications to address climate change and man-made misuses ;hence building the resilience
and adaptation of the pastoral communities to climate change in the two pastoral ecosystems
of Sudan.
- Conclusion and recommendations are given with respect to the Butana of Kassala State in
the Semi- Desert ecosystem (Semi-Desert) and Elodaya Locality in the Low Rainfall
Woodland Savannah ecological zones.

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PR-325-Sudan Working paper: on Role of Natural Forage Plants Diversity in Pastoral and Agro-pastoral communities
Livelihood

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PR-325-Sudan Working paper: on Role of Natural Forage Plants Diversity
in Pastoral and Agro-pastoral communities Livelihood

Background
Natural plants are essential for human’s existence since their evolution alongside people,
who learned how to use them .Some plant species are the source of the world stable food
stuff: e.g. Cereals provide Rice, Wheat, Maize, Sorghum and Millet etc…
Legumes: Provide Ground nuts Beans etc...
Root crops: Provide potato, sweet potato and cassava etc…
Other plants are important sources of herbal medicine drugs and products that people
depend on directly or indirectly, for example some plants maintain soil fertility
.Conserve soil and water, provides natural fodder for livestock , fiber and materials for
energy and construction; and the lists of the uses extends.
Sudan high plant diversity is attributed to the variations in climates, soils and topography
which resulted in a range of ecosystems or ecological zones (Desert, Semi-Desert and
Low Rainfall Woodland and Savanna).
The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) project
SUD/97/G31/A/16- 2002
Khartoum produced seven booklets series; among them four booklets fully addressed
plants (flora) diversity and these are - Biodiversity in forest plants, Rangelands plants,
Medicine plants and Agro .biodiversity plants. The former three booklets of plants
constitute direct natural grazing and browse plants as livestock feed and sources of food,
medicine to the pastoralists and the agro-pastoralists livelihood.
The Agro-biodiversity plants furnish a grazing material stuff after harvest as crop
residues and by-products.
Sudan rangelands plants are basic natural renewable resources having their prominent
role in the socio-economic development and well-being of the pastoralists, agro-
pastoralists and sedentary population. The grasses, the forbs the shrubs and the trees in
the Semi- Desert and the Low Rainfall Savanna range areas beside providing cheap feed
for domestic and wild herbivores , they provide : -
Soil conservation, Watershed protection, Famine foods, medicine for (humans and
livestock), source of energy, industrial ingredients, building materials .These natural
plants luxuriant growth reduces carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and as well these
plants remain good genetic resources that could be resorted to, for crops improvements
in future.
With further increase of population in the Sudan pastoral and agro- pastoralist
ecosystems and climate change and increased livestock population, this situation will
induce undesirable effects on many plants survival and regeneration.
Since the natural forage plants in the pastoral ecosystems of the country have played
their role in sustaining the livelihood of the pastoralists and agro-pastoralists urgent need
is required to develop a strategy to cater for the sustainability of the role by:
1. By conservation and enhancement of the natural forages plants genetic resources
diversity for the prosperity development of the country.
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PR-325-Sudan Working paper: on Role of Natural Forage Plants Diversity
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2. To insure conservation of the biological heritage of the present and the coming
generations through practical and applicable interventions.
Such a strategy could be only realized; through thorough knowledge and assessment of
the natural forage plants in the two pastoral and agro- pastoral ecosystems of the country.

Terms of Reference:
Review Information on Natural Forage Plants and conduct field surveys to develop a
knowledge base on their role and diversity in Sudan with especial emphases on the
project location.
Assess the project ecological zones in terms of: Geographical extent, Soils, Rain fall and
Natural plant diversity.
Assess the present situation of the natural forage plants of annex 1 and others in terms
of:
Importance to the grazing, feed and/or food in the area, size, extent/scope of diversity.
Preference and diversity.
Assess the nature of actual potential threats to the forage plants.
Assess forages priority for conservation, upgrading, and capacity building.
Recommendations for maximizing benefits for multi-use.

Development of: Sustainable conservation strategy for natural forge plants genetic
resources that leads to improved production and food security with direct implications to
addressing the climate change.
The Consultant should submit a first draft report covering the above-stated heading. The
project will discuss the layout, contents, findings and recommendations and made
necessary comments.
The Consultant will incorporate the project comments and submit the final document.
The acceptance of the final report will be pending upon the satisfaction of the Project
management.
Research duration and Schedule: The Consultant will hopefully carry out the research
within 10 weeks starting from the signing of the contract.
The project overall objective:
Is to build up the resilience to climate induced crises affecting pastoralists and agro-
pastoralists in the two ecosystems of Sudan to contribute to feed, food and other uses
security and poverty reduction in the face of climate change and man activities; through
development of pastoral strategic Action Plan (PSAP) for the conservation of the forages
plants genetic resources in the:-
Semi-Desert and The low Rainfall woodland Savanna – pastoral – ecosystems.
The Methodology for gathering information: To develop knowledge base on the
biodiversity: The following activities were undertaken:
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A comprehensive desk work study of the reports and maps related to the ecological
zones: The Semi-Desert and the Low Rainfall Woodland Savanna proper to assess, the
ecological zones in terms of:
Geographical extent, soils, Rainfall and Natural plant diversity.
Assessment of the present situation of the natural forage plants of Annex. I and others in
terms of: Importance as feed and for food.
Assessment of the nature of actual potential threats to the forage plants.
Recommendations for maximizing benefits for multi-use.
Field survey to be conducted in sample areas:
The Butana of Kassala state-two areas (Semi-Desert Zone).
Elodaya in North Kordofan State – one area (low Rainfall woodland Savanna).
The field survey is guided by the resident range and pasture technical personnel, carried
out through Transects Traverses to cover the localities range areas while moving by the
vehicle between every point and the other, description of the natural vegetation is
made. The GPS is used to register the point coordinates and also the digital camera is
used to document features along the transect lines related to rangeland environment (soil,
topography, natural vegetation and animals etc.) and any other remarks essential.
A questionnaire to enquire about the past and current situation of the rangeland plants.
This although it was prepared to be filled when knowledgeable pastoralists are met; but it
was not used and direct questions were asked.

The Ecological Zones of the Project Area These are:
Lies immediately south of The Sudan Desert Ecological zone, map1. It stretches from
west to East. The annual rainfall in the Semi – Desert ranges from 75 mm. in its northern
boundary to 300 mm. to the south. The rains are unreliable confined to the months of
July and August.
The Semi – Desert vegetation is varying mixture of grasses herbs with or without woody
vegetation cover, which is composed of a scattered scrub bushes and trees, interspersed
with bare areas. The Semi –Desert vegetation according to soil differences is divided
into five sub–divisions as follows:-
1. Acacia tortilis – Maerua crassifolia Desert scrub.
This sub – division is very heterogeneous due to surface run off -flow sites and run – on
flow sites such as channels and drainage lines .The dominant woody species is Acacia
tortilis which is widely scattered. In areas receiving low rainfall the species do occur
along the seasonal water courses with Maerua crassifalia , Acacia raddiana , Capparis
decidua, Ziziphus spina – christi , Balanites aegyptiaca and Salvadora persica.
Increase of Acacia nubica and Calotropis procera reflects overgrazing.
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