When water flows, farmers grow
Key takeaways
- In eastern Sudan, Kalahoot canal stood dry for seven years, leaving more than 25,000 acres of farmland without the water needed to grow crops.
- Prosper Global teams helped clear out more than 30 miles of waterway and reconnected the communities to a lifeline.
- Following the canal's restoration, 5,000 smallholder farmers in Kassala are growing more profitable crops.
For seven years, the Kalahoot canal lay dry. Fields that had once grown food for families were left empty. Thousands of farmers in Kassala relied on the canal to bring in a steady flow of water from the nearby Gash River in eastern Sudan. In Kassala, far from the country’s main conflict zones, more than 25,000 acres of farmland depended on the canal to irrigate its crops.
“Water did not reach our farmland for seven years,” said Ramadan, a farmer in Kassala. “We used to suffer from fluctuating rainfall. If it was a good season, we profit, and if the rains failed, we lost our provisions for the year.”
Sand, mud, and urban waste had clogged the bridges that stood above the canal, eventually bringing water flow to a halt from 2016 to 2025. Farmers who had worked tirelessly to grow sesame, millet and sorghum had nowhere to turn. Erratic rainfall left their farmland parched and they lost their crops to drought before harvest.
Clearing the canal, one mile at a time
In 2026, Prosper Global teams worked alongside the community to clear out the canal and reconnect the community to a lifeline. Restoration work began with major repairs to the canal, while crews took care to protect the surrounding environment.
I felt great happiness when we saw the water flowing into Kalahoot canal, an indescribable feeling.
Ramadan, Farmer in Kassala
Ditches clogged with debris and waste were cleared. Waste bins were installed to discourage dumping and help keep the canal clean. The bridges that help control the canal’s water flow were repaired to keep water moving safely.
When the gates opened, water from the Gash River surged back into the canal. In total, crews cleared over 13 miles of the main canal and another 17.5 miles of smaller canals branching off from it.
“I felt great happiness when we saw the water flowing into Kalahoot canal, an indescribable feeling. It gave us hope that we can grow diverse crops,” said Ramadan. “The arrival of water is a great blessing for us.”
More water, more resources, more community spirit
As the canal waters flow again, 5,000 smallholder farmers are now reconnected with reliable water to irrigate thousands of acres of land. Farmers in Kassala are now planting a wider variety of crops on more of their land. During the dry seasons, farmers had been limited to using about two acres of land but are now expanding to more than five acres since water is more available.
We can plant anything.
Hassan, Farmer in Kassala
They are growing more profitable crops, such as tomatoes and okra, instead of relying mainly on sorghum, which needs less water to grow. Farming has gone from a risky gamble, with drought sometimes leaving farmers with just one bag of produce per acre, to a more reliable way to earn a living.
“Where there is water, there is crop diversity. We can plant anything,” said Hassan, a farmer who has expanded his farmland. “Increasing the area means increasing production enough to meet our needs, and selling the surplus in the market will provide a good income for us.”
The canal provides water not only for crops but also for livestock, supporting pastoralist communities such as the Rashaida and Hadandoua. With reliable access to water, families displaced or affected by conflict can grow their own food, rebuild lost livelihoods, and provide for their families. Smaller canals branching off the main canal brings water to family farms, many tended by women who grow crops close to home in keeping with local customs.
Our teams are working closely with local organizations to ensure water is shared fairly and transparently across the community. Farmers are contributing funds for ongoing maintenance and repairs.
Community members also come together through traditional Nafir workdays to clear debris, remove blockages and repair the canal banks. By sharing the work and costs, farmers and their neighbors are helping ensure the canal continues to serve their community for years to come.
This work is more than simply restoring the flow of water, the canal is a buffer against crop losses and rising prices. It's addressing the widespread disruption to farming across Sudan happening now. It’s also a forward-looking solution for the community, creating an opportunity for farmers, herders, and families displaced by conflict to build a stronger future together.
