Impact of Irrigation Systems on Water Use and Water Productivity: A Case Study Using AquaCrop in Khartoum, Sudan

Water scarcity significantly challenges agricultural productivity in arid regions like Khartoum, Sudan. This study evaluates the impact of three irrigation systems—furrow, sprinkler, and surface drip—on the water use and productivity of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) under different climatic conditions using the AquaCrop model. Simulations were conducted for three representative years: a wet year (2022), a normal year (2015), and a dry year (2018). The results demonstrate that irrigation substantially improved water use efficiency and crop yield compared to non-irrigated (rainfed) conditions. Rainfed crops resulted in lower biomass, harvest index, and yield, particularly in the dry year, highlighting the importance of irrigation. Both drip irrigation and center pivot irrigation consistently outperformed furrow irrigation, using less water while maintaining stable yields, with the highest irrigation water productivity achieved by drip irrigation under dry conditions. This study underscores the potential for modern irrigation technologies, particularly drip irrigation and center pivot irrigation, to enhance water productivity, improve crop resilience, and support sustainable agricultural practices in water-limited regions such as Khartoum. Besides yield and water use, selecting a specific irrigation system would also depend on factors such as initial cost, field size, and maintenance requirements. Advisor: Derek L. Heeren