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Language: English

Original: English

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT FUND

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

(ESMP)

SUMMARY

AGRICULTURAL VALUE CHAIN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SUDAN

PREPARED BY

AMBROSE S. ORODA

ENVIRONMENTAL, CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREEN GROWTH

CONSULTANT

APRIL 2018

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LIST OF ACRONYMS

AfDB : African Development Bank

AHAI : Agriculture, Human and Social Development

ARV : Anti-Retriviral Drugs

AVCDP : Agriculture Value Chain Development Project

CSS : Climate Safeguard System

EA : Environmental Assessment

EIA : Environmental Impact Assessment

ESA : Environmental and Social Assessment

ESIA : Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

ESMP : Environmental and Social Management Plan

FGD : Focused Group Discussion

GAPAs : Gum Arabic Producers Association

GDP : Gross Domestic Product

GHG : Greenhouse Gas

HIV/AIDS : Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

HIV : Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus

IESIA : Integrated Environmental and Social Impacts Assessment

ILO : International Labour Organization

IMF : International Monetary Fund

IPA : Investment Programme Areas

MDG : Millennium Development Goal

MoAF : Ministry of Agriculture and Forests

MoE : Ministry of Environment

MoENR : Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources

MoIT* : Ministry responsible for Industry and Trade

NCS : National Comprehensive Strategy

NSP : National Strategic Plan

RAP : Resettlement Action Plan

OS : Operational Safeguards

PAP : Project Affected Persons

PCU : Project Coordinating Unit

PIU : Project Implementation Unit

PSO : Project Support Officer

RAP : Resettlement Action Plan

RDGE : Regional Directorate for Eastern Africa

SNAIP Sudan’s National Agriculture Investment Plan

UN : United Nations

UNCBD : United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity

UNEP : United Nations Environment Programme

UNFCCC : United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

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UNICEF : United Nations Children and Education Fund

URT : United Republic of Tanzania

US : United States of America

USAID : United States Agency for International Development

WFP : World Food Programme

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1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Project Title: Agricultural Value Chain Development Program (Project I)

Project Number: P-SD-AAZ-008

Project Category: Category 2

Country: Sudan

Department: Agriculture, Human and Social Development (RDGE)

Division: RDGE.2/AHAI.1

2. INTRODUCTION

2.2. Background

Sudan is located in the Greater Horn of Africa and forms boundaries with Egypt to the north,

Red Sea to the north-east, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, Central

Africa Republic to the south-west, Chad to the west, and Libya to the north-west. It is

Africa’s third largest country with a surface area of 1,862,905 km2 of which less than 10% is

arable under rainfed agriculture. The River Nile and the Sahara Desert are the main dominant

features of Sudan. Agriculture contributes significantly to the Gross Domestic Product

(GDP) of Sudan at about 40% and employing about 80% of the country’s labour-force. The

GDP of Sudan is estimated at between US$95 – US$115 billion per year. Besides agriculture,

other contributors to the GDP are services (39%) and industry (29%). The per capita GDP is

estimated at US$2,400, although the population of Sudan remains largely poor. Currently,

the GDP growth rate (2018) is estimated at 3.6% although the country has had a slow-down

in economic growth during the last decade, coupled with high inflation rates estimated at

between 30% and 40%.. In the short and medium terms, growth will be determined by

developments in the agricultural and mineral sectors, skills development and prudent

macroeconomic policies and structural reforms aimed at improving the business climate.

Key environmental challenges in Sudan are (1) water scarcity; (2) land and resources

degradation and soil erosion; (3) periodic and most recently very regular droughts; (4)

desertification; (5) deforestation and extensive tree cutting; (6) over-grazing. The prolonged

armed conflicts in Sudan in the 1970s, 1980s and the 1990s had negative impacts on

economic development as well as environment and natural resources and social development.

Sudan has been identified to suffer from the many negative impacts of climate change such

as decline in rainfall amounts greatly affecting agricultural and pastoral livelihoods. A World

Bank study in 2009 assessed Sudan to be the country most at risk from the effects of climate

change on agriculture.

This ESMP has been prepared based on an overall environmental and social assessment,

which includes (i) analysis of the general information in project districts and regions in

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Sudan; (ii) evaluation of potential environmental and social impacts of the project

components and subcomponents; (iii) assessment of environmental requirements and

practices in different ongoing and completed projects; (iv) national requirements by the

Government of Sudan for implementation of similar projects; (v) African Development Bank

Safeguard requirements before implementation of any development project, and, (vi)

consideration of several other international and regional regulations for implementation of

development projects. The ESMP provides the guidelines for the preparation of all mitigation

plans including the Environmental and Social Management requirements, Construction

Management Plan and Compensation Action Plans, and site specific environmental and

social impact assessments to respond to the anticipated project impacts.

2.3. Purpose of the ESMP and its objectives

It is a requirement by both the Government of The Sudan and the African Development Bank

(AfDB) that environmental and social assessments are carried out at the identification,

preparation or appraisal stages of any development project. The main objective of this ESMP

is to ensure that the implementation of the AVCDP is preceded by assessments of its

environmental and social impacts and the environmental sustainability of the proposed

project are determined. The ESMP provides the environmental and social management plan

that will enable project implementers to mitigate potential environmental and social impacts

of the project activities. The specific objectives of ESMP are: (i) To establish clear

procedures and methodologies for the environmental and social screening, planning, review,

approval and implementation of sub-projects to be financed under the Project; (ii) To specify

appropriate roles and responsibilities, and outline the necessary reporting procedures, for

managing and monitoring environmental and social concerns related to sub-projects; (iii) To

determine the training, capacity building and technical assistance needed to successfully

implement the provisions of the ESMP; (iv) To propose and establish the funding required

to implement the ESMP and subsequent environmental and social assessments, monitoring

and management; and, (v) To provide practical information resources for implementing the

ESMP.

The Project Implementation Unit under the national Ministry of Agriculture and Forests in

collaboration with state Ministries of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources and

other relevant authorities will ensure compliance with this ESMP.

2.4. Preparation and use of ESMP

This ESMP was prepared by an Environmental Consultant from the AfDB based on previous

experience on similar projects that have been handled. The ESMP provides a guide to be

used within existing Government Policy regulations for environment and social processes

and other international legislation by donor organizations. This ESMP will be a living

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document that will be subject to periodic reviews to address specific concerns raised by

stakeholders, and emerging policy requirements.

3. ADMINISTRATION, POLICIES, LEGAL AND REGULATORY

FRAMEWORKS

3.1. Background

In Sudan, the Environmental Management and Regulations are vested in the Ministry of

Environment and Physical Development. The Higher Council for Environment and Natural

Resources coordinates and supervises environmental issues. The Council is mandated to

provide policy and technical back up to the responsible ministries as required by law. It is

responsible for enforcement and compliance with Environmental Assessments. The

Environmental Protection Act of 2001 defines the environmental governance arrangements

in the country and provides for the environmental management structures. The Act strives to

bring on board as many stakeholders as possible in the management of environmental issues.

3.2. Legal, Policies and Regulatory Frameworks in The Sudan

3.2.1. Legal Framework

The following laws will be applicable to the management and implementation of the project:

(i) The Constitution of The Sudan, 1998: (ii) The Environmental Protection Act of 2001; (iii)

The Laws and Acts dealing with Land Tenure such as the Title to Land Act of 1899; The

Registration Ordinance Act of 1925, Civil Transaction Act of 1984 and the Local

Government Act of 1998 which addresses land management and administration at the local

level.; (iv) The Laws dealing with Water among them: (1) Nile Pumps Control Act of 1939;

(2) Civil Transaction Act of 1984; (3) Irrigation and Drainage Act of 1990; (4) The Water

Resources Act of 1995; (5) The Groundwater Regulations Act of 1998; and, (6) The Public

Water Corporation Act of 2008.

3.2.2. Policies and Regulatory Frameworks

The following policies and regulations will be useful: (i) The First National Ten Year

Development Planning (1960 – 1970); (ii) The Decentralization of Natural Resources

Management Policy declared by the 4th Constitutional Decree of 1991 which made Sudan a

Federal Country and gave the States the responsibilities over their lands and management of

natural resources; (iii) The National Comprehensive Strategy (NCS) of 1992 – 2002 which

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has a section dedicated for environmental management; (iv) The National Action Plan to

Combat Desertification of 1998 which provided a description and analysis of the scale and

management of desertification in Sudan; (v) The Five-Year National Strategic Plan (NSP)

(2007 – 2011) recognised environment as being cross-cutting and focused on promoting

sustainable economic development, poverty reduction and the attainment of the Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs); (vi) The National Water Policy (amended) 2006, especially

the section on Water and Environment; and, (vii) The National Water Supply and Sanitation

Policy of 2009 which focuses on equitable and sustainable utilisation and provision of safe

water and sanitation

3.3.The African Development Bank (AfDB) Environmental and Social Safeguards

The Agricultural Value Chain Development Project will be developed and implemented

according to the requirements of the African Development Bank Operational

Environmental and Social Safeguards. This ESMP has been prepared to forestall

environmental and social impacts that will arise during the development and operational

implementation of the AVCD Project based on AfDB’s 5 Operational Safeguard Policies

as well as the applicable environmental policies, laws and regulations of the states and

national laws of the Government of Sudan. The 5 Operational Safeguard Policies that will

be triggered are as follows: (1) Environmental Assessment (OS1); (2) Involuntary

Resettlement including Land Acquisition, Population Displacement and Compensation

(OS2); (3) Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (OS3); (4) Pollution Prevention and

Control, Greenhouse Gases, Hazardous Materials and Resource efficiency (OS4); and, (5)

Labour Conditions, Health and Safety (OS5)

OPERATIONAL SAFEGUARDS TRIGGERED BY THE

PROJECT(FOR THE MOMENT)

YES NO

OS1 -Environmental Assessment x

OS2 Involuntary Resettlement: Land Acquisition, Population

Displacement and Compensation

x

OS3 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services x

OS 4: Pollution Prevention and Control, Greenhouse Gases,

Hazardous Materials

x

OS 5 Labour Conditions, Health and Safety x

3.4.International Regulations and Conventions

The project will also take cognisance of the international conventions and Multilateral

Environmental Agreements signed and ratified by Sudan. Some of these will include are:

(i) The Stockholm Conference of 1972; (ii) Convention on Wetlands of International

Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention), 2001; (iii) The

International Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) of 1994; (iv) The Earth

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Summit of 1992 and the subsequent United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

Change (UNFCCC), 1992; (v) the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC; (vi) the Montreal

Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer; (vii) The Vienna Convention for

Protection of the Ozone Layer; (viii) The United Nations Convention to Combat

Desertification (UNCCD); (ix) the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World

Cultural and National Heritage (World Heritage Convention), Paris, 1975; (x) The

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wildlife Animals, 1979; and, (xi)

the African Convention on Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, 1968

4. THE AGRICULTURAL VALUE CHAIN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

(AVCDP) – PROJECT I

The Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (AVCDP) is being developed to

contribute to the attainment of Sudan’s National Agriculture Investment Plan (SNAIP)

goals in achieving a comprehensive national socio-economic development driven by a

dynamic agricultural sector. The project will achieve a number of objectives among which

are to improve household incomes, enhance food and nutritional security, and build

household climate resilience through infrastructure development, improved market access

and trade facilitation as well as enhancing production and productivity. The project will be

implemented in three states, namely, North Kordofan, West Kordofan, and Khartoum and

will focus on four commodity value chains: Groundnuts, Sesame, Potato, and Gum Arabic.

4.1. Project components and their anticipated activities

The following comprise the components and activities of AVCDP: (i) Component 1 will

be Agriculture production and productivity with 2 sub-components whose sub-components

include (1) potato seed development (2) farm consolidation for improved production and

productivity; (ii) Component 2 will be Infrastructure development for market access and

trade facilitation with 2 sub-components and target (1) upgrading/rehabilitation of rural

market access roads, and (2) upgrading and equipping rural markets with postharvest

handling facilities and services; (iii) Component 3 will be Strengthening Gum Arabic

Value Chain; and (iv) Component 4 Project Coordination and Management.

5. PROJECT ALTERNATIVES

This ESMP study sought to consider possible alternatives to the proposed project. Two

alternatives were considered. They included the “No Project Alternative” and the

Alternative Locations.

5.1.The “No Project” Alternative

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This “No Project” alternative implies no project at all and means foregoing all the

environmental, social and economic benefits that include: (i) improved trade in high quality

agricultural produce both local and international; (ii) there will be a marked trickle-down

improved crop production as agricultural trade improves and subsequently increasing food

and nutritional security; (iii) improved household and community incomes hence improved

living standards; (iv) increased employment opportunities both directly and indirectly by

people employed during the development works as well as those who will be employed in

produce marketing, agro-processing, sale of farm inputs, etc.; (v) minimized post-harvest

losses through the development of warehousing and storage facilities as well as processing

facilities that will help improve socio-economic well-being of the beneficiaries.

5.2.Alternative Locations

The selected sites are suitable for the project because they are principal production

locations for sesame, groundnut and gum Arabic in The Sudan.

6. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF THE

PROPOSED PROJECT

6.1. Environmental, social and climate change challenges:

The three proposed states of Khartoum, North Kordofan and West Kordofan are

characterised by low rainfall amounts and high temperatures. Eco-climatically, the areas

can be grouped into (i) desert zones (mainly in the northern parts); (ii) semi-desert zones;

(iii) dry zones; (iv) semi-dry and semi-arid zones. This categorization is from north south-

wards, respectively with similarly rainfall progressively increasing south-wards from the

lowest of 75 mm per annum in the north to about 600 mm per annum in some parts of West

Kordofan, in the south. Accordingly rain-fed agricultural production potential increases

progressively southwards. Of the targeted crops, sesame is grown in wetter areas compared

to groundnuts. These targeted areas have been experiencing lots of environmental and

climate change challenges such as reduced rainfall amounts, increased temperatures,

increased winds (causing wind-storms), poor infrastructure and low crop yields.

6.2.Positive environmental, social and economic impacts

The positive impacts of the project will include among others: (i) improved agricultural

production due to improved and structured market outlets and enhanced market access; (ii)

reduced post-harvest losses because of improved storage and warehousing facilities; (iii)

enhanced employment opportunities in the Borsa, warehousing and storage facilities; (iv)

improved incomes at households and community levels; (v) improved living standards; (vi)

improved national income through exports; (vii) improved industrialisation through

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processing and value addition; and, (viii) minimised out-migration hence reducing rural-

urban migration.

6.3. Project beneficiaries

The proposed project will directly benefit farmers in over 236,000 households (50%

females) in 13 localities in the Kordofan Region in addition potato farmers of over 50,000

hectares of land currently under potato cultivation. The target beneficiaries also include the

200 Gum Arabic Producers Associations (GAPAs) in West and North Kordofan States with

emphasis on women and youth. As such it is anticipated that about two million residents in

the target localities in the country will benefit progressively as the project is implemented.

Additionally, processors, marketers, agro-dealers in and around the target states will benefit

from this project

6.4. Gender and youth Aspects

The Design of the Project will systematically employ a gender and youth lens to ensure that

the project contributes to active gender equality and will not lead to unintended negative

gender impacts, such as exclusion. Gender perspectives have been integrated into project

formulation in line with the National Gender Strategy and policies while taking due

cognizance of the Bank’s Gender Policy. The PIU will also ensure development of a Gender

Action Plan that will drive the real engagement of males and females and also the youth to

fully engage during the implementation of the project. The improvement of the market

infrastructure and development and improvement of the rural and market access roads in

the two states of North Kordofan and West Kordofan is being seen as one great opportunity

by the youth that will enhance their participation in trade, agricultural production and

improved incomes by easing transportation.

6.5. Involuntary resettlement and Land Tenure Systems

The project is not expected to have any involuntary resettlement of the population. The

agricultural farms are already existing farming areas. The project will only support

reorganisation of the farming system through farmer grouping and farm amalgamation to

make the farm units more viable for commercial production considerations units. The

market locations are in the government land and are currently being used as marketing

locations. In both states of North Kordofan and West Kordofan, it was noted that individual

farmers own their parcels of land. However, due to the land parcels of 15 – 25 Feddans

(about 6.3 – 10.5 ha) considered not commercially viable, the project will support the

regrouping of farmers in some sort of amalgamation of farms to form large land parcels that

are viable for commercial farming so as to encourage the private sector to support

production.

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6.6. Climate Change and Green Growth:

The project was screened using the Climate Safeguards System (CSS) of the African

Development Bank and was classified as a Category 2 Project. In terms of climate change

and green growth, the project will contribute to climate change resilience through increased

marketing of the agricultural produce by improving the marketing segment of the value

chain. The project will also enhance climate change resilience through improved storage

and warehousing facilities which will minimise post-harvest losses and also minimise the

farmers desperation to sell their crops at throw-away prices due to lack of storage facilities,

especially at harvesting time. By improving infrastructure through improvement of market

and rural access roads, the project will also reduce transportation costs hence improving

the farmers’ incomes and consequently reducing poverty and as such enhancing resilience

of the poor farmers.

6.7.Negative impacts

The proposed project is expected to have a number of minor environmental and social

impacts including: (i) biodiversity loss through vegetation clearing and destruction of

natural habitats during construction works; (ii) soil compaction and some destabilization

of the geological balance during excavations; (iii) increased use of agricultural chemicals

leading to pollution as a result of increased agricultural activities; (iv) increased

environmental damage through excavations and creation of burrow pits to get construction

materials; (v) dust pollution during construction works and transportation of construction

materials; and, (vi) occupational health hazards. It is important to note that preparation and

implementation of site-specific environmental impact assessments (EIAs) will be carried

out by the individual contractors under the supervision of the Executing Agency, in

consultation with resident engineers and environmental authorities in The Sudan. The Bank

as the financing entity will ensure compliance with its environmental and climate change

safeguards

7. MITIGATION/ENHANCEMENT MEASURES

The overall responsibility of the environmental and social monitoring will lie with the

Project Implementation Unit that will be based at the State Ministry of Agriculture at El

Obeid under the direct oversight of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forest. The

proposed mitigation measures to address the negative impacts are described here below.

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(i) Loss of vegetation and destruction of habitats and biodiversity: There is

anticipated increase in clearing of vegetation, destruction of natural habitats and loss of

biodiversity during the development phase of the project for construction works

Mitigation: To mitigate against these: (i) where possible, the clearing of vegetation,

particularly of indigenous trees needs to be avoided as much as possible during

construction, and the clearing needs to be carried out only where necessary; (ii) where

clearing is done, land should be landscaped and reclaimed by planting more trees and other

forms of vegetation; (iii) avoid clearing and construction within key sensitive habitats such

as wetlands, culturally protected areas, unique and special habitats; and (iv) where possible,

buffer the special, sensitive and ecologically important habitats, particularly during the

infrastructure designing.

(ii) Generation of wastes due to processing: Value addition and sorting of

agricultural produce will result in generation of solid wastes which may have negative

impacts unless properly managed.

Mitigation: (i) put in place appropriate waste management mechanisms to manage the

wastes generated; (ii) educate and sensitize the workers and the general population to be

mindful of and responsible for their own environments.

(iii) Soil Compaction and destabilisation of the geological balance: The use of heavy

machinery during the construction work within the project area is likely to lead to

compaction of the soil structure which may lead to reduced soil infiltration capacities and

subsequently resulting in increased run-off. The increased run-off may lead to soil erosion.

It may also affect soil-water balance and the general hydrological cycle.

Mitigation: To mitigate against the compaction: (i) minimize heavy machinery and other

equipment movements while restricting movements away from designated transportation

and operational areas; (ii) unnecessary vehicular and machinery movements should be

avoided as much as possible; (iii) reclaim and re-vegetate excavation sites once work is

completed to reduce run off.

(iv) Pollution: Noise, Dust and Air Quality Concerns: The construction activities

mostly the excavation and transportation of construction materials are likely to generate a

significant amount of dust as well as emitting smoke and fumes from engines and oil spills

that will lead to pollution of air, water and other environmental resources. Other pollution

agents are likely to be chemicals and chemical fumes.

Mitigation: This could be mitigated against by: (i) ensuring that all vehicles transporting

raw materials especially soil should be covered or avoid overloading to reduce dust

emissions; (ii) the workers in dusty areas should be provided with requisite protective

equipment such as dust masks and dust coats for preventive and protection purposes; (iii)

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the movement and speed of the construction machineries and vehicles should be controlled

and properly managed; (iv) the removal of vegetation should be avoided and denuded

surfaces should be adequately re-vegetated; (v) most noisy machinery should be fitted with

proper silencers to minimise noise emissions; (vi) where necessary, ensure good and

appropriate selection of construction machinery and equipment; (vii) the amount of

blasting in the quaries should be controlled where necessary; (viii) sprinkle water in

construction yards, on dusty roads and soil heaps to keep down the dust produced; (ix)

ensure the construction work takes the shortest time possible, in addition, the activities

generating dust should be carried out in calm weather; (x) ensure the noise levels are kept

at the minimum acceptable levels and the construction activities are confined to the

working time limits; (xi) ensure chemicals are well handled and properly stored while

disposals should be in accordance with prescribed procedures.

(v) Transmission of HIV/AIDs and other communicable diseases: Because of strict

controls due Islamic Laws, free interactions between males and females are highly

controlled. However, with increased activities and also improved incomes, human

interactions may increase. This could lead to possible infections such as Human Immuno-

deficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and other

infections. As such there might be need to put in place control and prevention measures.

Mitigation: Challenges due to infections could be addressed through: (i) enhancing

education and sensitization of workers and the local communities on the dangers and

prevalence of disease; (ii) regular sensitization campaigns and monitoring of the spread

diseases; (iii) development of brochures and other materials that will convey information

about diseases and infections; (iv) regular provision of adequate prevention measures such

as condoms; (v) provision of drugs such as anti-retriviral drugs (ARVs).

(vi) Occupational Health Hazards: Project will involve long term working

environments. As occupational health hazards must be put under consideration and check.

Mitigation: The mitigation measures will include: (i) the use of proper personal protective

gears; (ii) public education and sensitization; (iii) well labelled and conspicuously placed

warnings; and, (iv) provision of First Aid Kits that will be conspicuously located and well

labelled.

8. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN AND

MONITORING

8.1. Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).

Detailed plans to implement the ESMP are elaborated in the main report.

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8.2.Environmental and Social Management Plan Monitoring

The overall objective of environmental and social monitoring will be to ensure that

mitigation measures are implemented and are effective. Environmental and social

monitoring will also enable response to new and developing issues of concern during the

project implementation hence ensuring that project activities comply with and adhere to

environmental provisions and standard specifications of the Bank and those of the

Government of The Sudan. The overall responsibility of the environmental and social

monitoring will lie with the Project Implementation Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture and

Forests (PIU/MoAF) in conjunction with the district and regional environmental units and

working in close collaboration with the authorities responsible for the management of

environment and environmental issues.

The whole exercise of ESMP monitoring will involve monitoring compliance with

regulations, managing worksites, executing specific environmental and social works and

seeking solutions to emerging environmental problems. The ESMP monitoring team will

ensure regular reporting, which will be on a monthly, quarterly biennially or annually basis

depending on the aspects being monitored to avoid any serious environmental

consequences. Among the key issues to be monitored will be: (i) the status of the biological

conditions; (ii) status of the physical works; (iii) the technical and environmental problems

encountered; (iii) proposed solutions to the problems encountered; and, (v) the

effectiveness of environmental and social measures adopted.

The ESMP monitoring programme is proposed for implementation at two-levels – the

supervisory activity carried out by the control or supervision missions of the African

Development Bank in conjunction with ministry officials. The regular monitoring will

ensure that site activities are conducted in compliance with agreed upon local

environmental standards under the laws of Sudan. The supervisory or control missions may

be once every six months and their role will include: (i) reviewing the contractor’s detailed

worksite ESMP or ESIA and its specific procedures; (ii) ascertaining mitigation of the

negative impacts identified; (iii) ascertaining the effectiveness of proposed measures; (iv)

studying specific applicability conditions for the proposed measures; (v) monitoring the

implementation of measures during the works; (vi) monitoring the recommended

measures; (vii) proposing remedies in the event of occurrence of major impacts; and (viii)

conducting environmental compliance and assessment at the end of the project.

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9. CONSULTATIONS AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Consultations and public participation is a requirement by law to generate concerns about

environmental impacts of any development project or programme. During the preparation

of this ESMP, significant consultations and public participation was carried out. Further

consultations are anticipated during the subsequent parts of the project development and

implementation, especially during the preparation of site-specific environmental and social

impact assessments. The list of the people consulted during the assessments to prepare this

ESMP is given as an annex in the main report. The objectives of the stakeholders and public

participation include among others: (i) to provide an opportunity for the PAPs to get clear,

accurate and comprehensive information about the project and its anticipated impacts; (ii)

to provide an opportunity for the PAPs to give their views and raise their concerns

regarding the project and its impacts; (iii) to provide the PAPs with the opportunity of

suggesting ways of avoiding, reducing, or mitigating the negative impacts and enhancing

positive impacts; (iv) to enable the project proponents to incorporate the needs, preferences

and values of the project as seen by the stakeholders into the proposed project/programme;

(v) to provide opportunities to avoid and resolve disputes and reconcile conflicting interests

by the stakeholders of the project; and, (vi) to enhance transparency and accountability in

decision making.

10. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AND CAPACITY BUILDING FOR

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT

The overall implementation responsibility of this ESMP will lie with the PIU working with

experts from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Management. These

experts are well-trained and highly qualified staff who have the capacity to implement the

Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). There is need, however, to identify

development experts such as the gender expert, social development expert, youth

empowerment expert, etc. that can be incorporated to address key social aspects of the

project. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting on environmental issues will be part of

project implementation processes and reporting systems. During discussions with the State

Minister of Environment and the technical staff from the Department of Environment and

Natural Resources it was realized that there will be need to empower the relevant officials

with technical skills in environmental assessments and management.

11. COMPLIMENTARY INITIATIVES

The key complementary initiatives of this project will include: (i) good and complementary

relationship among different players participating in the implementation of the project; (ii)

capacity building initiatives; and (iii) improved agricultural production practices;.

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12. ESTIMATED COSTS TO IMPLEMENT THE ESMP

No. Activity Timeframe Cost (USD) Responsibility

01

Preparation of site-specific ESMP/ESIAs

Quarter 1 prior to actual project works

100,000

MoAF/Environmental

Authorities/AfDB

02 Complementary initiatives:

• Capacity Building of Technical

officers – environmental matters

Quarter 1 & 2 of project

implementation

100,000 MoAF/PIU/Environmental

Authority

• Capacity building of farmers – farming

practices and farm inputs

Quarter 2 of project commencement 85,000 MoAF

03 ESMP Monitoring MoAF/PIU/

Environmental Authority

• Regular supervisions – environmental

aspects

Entire project period until hand-over 205,000 MoA/Environmental

Authorities

• Control missions Annually during project period 235,000 MoA/AfDB

04 Institutional Strengthening and Capacity

building and general public awareness

programmes

As and when needed 140,000 MoA/MoTI*

Total 865,000

05 5% mark-up 43,250

06 Grand Total 908,250.00

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13. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

13.1. Conclusions

This ESMP has been prepared based on environmental and social assessments conducted

to equip the AfDB and relevant authorities of the Government of the Sudan and especially

the Ministry of Agriculture at the Federal Level and the State Ministries of Agriculture as

well as several other interested agencies, local administrative agencies plus all stakeholders

with relevant and sufficient environmental information about the proposed Agriculture

Value Chain Development Project in Sudan. It is hoped that the authorities in The Sudan

will use this information to evaluate the environmental viability and sustainability of the

proposed project. The project have environmental impacts but which do not have long term

and cumulative and significant impacts. The proposed development project explains the

various economic and social benefits not only to the local communities within the project

areas, but to the entire nation as a whole, particularly with regard to international trade and

foreign exchange earnings and national food and nutritional security. The negative

environmental impacts that have been identified and are associated with the

implementation of this project are minimal and could be addressed by implementing the

mitigation measures proposed to ensure that they pose no threat to the environment and to

the communities. These measures are part of the projects’ component and will bring no

added cost in the implementation process.

13.2. Recommendations

Even though the project focuses on agricultural production, it is a multi-sectoral and a

multi-disciplinary project. As such, it is important that during the implementation, relevant

line ministries and other stakeholders, and especially the private sector, are actively

involved to address some of the cross cutting issues such as land management and trade in

agricultural produce. The multi-disciplinary approach will ensure that emerging issues and

challenges are not only adequately addressed but the addressing is done timely and

appropriately. The contractors and the project proponents should take into consideration

all the legislative measures put in place so as to ensure the due process is followed. The

mitigation measures provided are based on the recommendations of this ESMP and they

should be followed so as to address the environmental issues that may arise in the course

of the implementation of this project.