The paper frames challenges for irrigation development in the Nile Basin based on an extensive analysis of land suitability, irrigation land projection, water economic value and water saving scenarios against a background of rising populations, increasing food and water demands, climate change impacts and socio-political trends. From the challenges, the paper formulates three policy strategic directs to guide irrigation development in the Nile Basin. The three policy directions are (1) cooperation and harmonization; (2) improving the agricultural and irrigation sector at country and key topology of the basin; and (3) improving the capacity of the basin.:
The paper predicted the climate of the Sudd Wetland (in terms of precipitation and minimum and maximum temperature) in 2020, 2050 and 2080 from Global Circulation Models (GCMs) assuming different greenhouse gas emission scenarios. The paper applied Statistical Downscalling Model (SDSM) methodology to downscale GSM predictor values from the course spatial scale of GCMs, to the fine local scale of the Sudd Wetland. The paper discussed water resources management implications for the Sudd wetland from the changed climate.