Cadasta Foundation and El Hawad Growth Corridor Project recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance land tenure governance and registration for smallholder farmers in Sudan.
The two groups have agreed to work together to support the implementation of an equitable land tenure governance regime that covers 1.5 million acres of historical farmland rights sprawled across five Sudanese states. Phase 1 of the Land Tenure Governance Program covers 600 thousand acres in Sudan’s River Nile State. Cadasta’s tools can be leveraged to establish and implement a database along with training a team of youth to conduct data collection, land and community surveys, and participatory mapping of smallholder farmers to support the registration of their land rights.
Commenting on the partnership, El Hawad Growth Corridor Project’s CEO, Dr. Mohamed A. Elmannan stated, “The Sudanese authorities, as well as the farming community, are convinced of the need to settle the issue of land rights and land tenure inside El Hawad Project’s area, as a prerequisite for developing a modern farming system. This is a sure way to help change and improve the livelihood of thousands of community families and men and women farmers within the radius of El Hawad Project.”
Cadasta’s Chief Programs Officer, Frank Pichel, discussing the potential for Cadasta’s first-ever operation in Sudan, commented, “One of Cadasta’s primary objectives is to meet the growing demand of documenting land and resource rights for those left out of formal land administration systems in emerging economies like Sudan. Cadasta works worldwide to introduce equitable and affordable land administration and to tackle land administration constraints by harnessing technology with easy-to-use digital tools and technology designed to help its partners efficiently document, analyze, store, and share critical land and resource rights information. We are thrilled to bring this approach to Sudan.”
About Cadasta Foundation:
Founded in 2015, Cadasta Foundation is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that develops and promotes the use of simple digital tools and technology to help partners efficiently document, analyze, store, and share critical land and resource rights information.
By creating an accessible digital record of land, property, and resource rights, we help empower individuals, communities, organizations, governments, and businesses with the information they need to make data-driven decisions and put vulnerable communities and their needs on the map.
Notes to Editors:
- Cadasta’s Website: https://cadasta.org/
- Cadasta’s Twitter: @CadastaOrg
- Cadasta Press: https://cadasta.org/press/
- Cadasta Media Contact: Madaleine Weber, Senior Communications Advisor, mweber@cadasta.org
About El Hawad Growth Corridor Project:
Headquartered in Khartoum, El Hawad is a 5-million-acre integrated development project – the largest mega project of its kind in Sudan traversing five states. With a historical legacy dating back to 20-30 AD, El Hawad Valley basin was the food bowl for the kings and queens of Kushite Meroë.
The Project is envisioned as a growth corridor based on the nation’s competitive advantages that would contribute to the long term prosperity of Sudan. Located in the heartland of Sudan, El Hawad is a west-to-east corridor that would eventually become an element of enhancement of Sudan’s integration in the Horn of Africa region.
- El Hawad’s Website: https://elhawad.org