Socio-hydrological Framework of Farmer-Drought Feedback: Darfur as a Case Study

Abstract

This paper attempts to conceptualize key socio-hydrological feedback loops between farmers and drought phenomena. To this end, two-fold aspects are considered for the Darfur region in the west of Sudan. The first one is the understanding of farmers’ perception of the major drought conditions, i.e. changes in patterns of rainfall and increase in temperature, in the region in comparison to the observed trends and variability (meteorological records). The second aspect is the identification of the types of concordant adjustments in the farming practices those farmers have made in response to drought conditions. Scheduled interviews composed of 98 farmers formed the basis of establishing the socio-hydrological framework. The interview results are discussed under the reality of human conflict in the context of a prototype cause-effect approach to defining the framework of drivers, pressures, state, impacts and responses (DPSIR) in the farmer-drought system. Climate in the region shows different features of drought, including increasing rainfall variability, changes in wet-season structure to which crop growth is sensitive, and increasing temperatures. Farmers have stronger perception of changes in rainfall patterns than in temperature. They rank the former as the main factor behind the declining crop; however, the results also suggest poor soil fertility as additional important agent. To reduce the drought risk to farming in the region and enhance crop productivity, farmers use a variety of strategies, such as early planting, frequent weeding, diversification of crops, cultivation of early maturing varieties and soil conservation. However, these steps are challenged mainly, in order of priority, by lack of finance, lack of machinery, invasion of insects and pests and shortage of labour. Urgent support from policy-makers is thus needed to enable an environment for sustainable agricultural practices in the region.