Gezira Scheme Act 2005.

This Act consisting of 30 articles establishes the Gezira Scheme as an economic and social entity with various activities. It aims at sustainable and stable exploitation of agricultural production resources and potentials to improve the economic and social standards of farmers and workers of the area it is located in, also to contribute to the achievement of the national goals. According to the Act, the Gezira Scheme is composed of (i) the farmers, (ii) the Government, as represented by its respective units providing basic services such as development, irrigation and public goods, including research, plant protection, technology support, agricultural extension, technical studies, training as well as supervisory management and indicative planning, and (iii) the private sector with regard to provision of auxiliary commercial services. The Act states some of its specific objectives, including (i) ensuring farmers’ right to freely manage their production and economic aspects within the technical parameters, (ii) ensuring farmers’ right to effectively participate, at all administrative levels, in planning and implementation of projects and programs that affect their production and livelihoods, and (iii) ensuring farmers’ right to manage irrigation operations at field canal level through water users’ associations. The Farmers’ Union representatives shall form at least 40 % of the Board membership. Article 9 specifies functions and powers of the Board of Directors.The Act addresses, and significantly affects, some major areas: (1) farmers’ right to freely manage their production and economic aspects within the technical parameters, and employ technology support to boost production and maximize their respective returns; (2) land ownership and the right to dispose of the hawashas (land areas) by the farmers. The farmer has moreover the right to dispose of his hawasha by sale, mortgage or assignment in accordance with directions established by the Board of Directors; (3) ensuring farmers’ right to manage irrigation operations at the field canal level through WUAs: and (4) providing an opportunity to the private sector to play a leading role in provision of such services in a competitive environment, and for future participation of the private sector investments.

Implemented by: Regulation of the Water Users' Associations of 2006 under the Gezira Scheme Act. (2006-04-20)
Repeals: Al-Jazeera Project Law of 1984. (1984-06-05)