GUAR VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS

PROSPECTS FOR GROWING AND

PROCESSING GUAR IN SUDAN

GUAR VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS

IN SUDAN

Prospects for growing and processing guar in Sudan

KUBITA Economic Empowerment

Ms Sophieke Kappers, MSc

30th May 2017

The Hague, The Netherlands

1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Over the last thirty years, initiatives on guar growing and processing have come and gone

in Sudan. This Guar Value Chain Analysis is a follow-up to the initiatives taken in 2015 in

Sudan by the National Guar Council, the High Council for Agricultural Revival of the Ministry

of Agriculture, the company Fair Organic Gum Arabic and the Embassy of the Kingdom of

the Netherlands. An impetus was provided by the National Guar Conference in May 2015.

This was an important opportunity for the stakeholders of the guar value chain to meet.

This Guar Value Chain Analysis was carried out at the beginning of 2016 by interviewing

more than 150 stakeholders individually, and in groups, in Khartoum, El Fasher, Damazin

and the Netherlands. Gaps in the current Value Chain Analysis are due to the limited

information available. This report must therefore be regarded as a first step in an on-going

process: new information and comments can and should be integrated into the Analysis.

Guar is considered to be one of the significant crops in Sudan and has been incorporated

into both domestic and commercial production. Guar is grown by large and smallholder

fe/male farmers mainly in rainfed areas of Blue Nile, White Nile, Darfur, Sennar and

Gedaref States. The guar plant can be used for field protection, soil improvement,

intercropping and as animal fodder. The guar seeds can be processed into churi and korma

as animal fodder as well as into guar gum that has many different industrial applications.

The increased income from the sale of animal fodder, the benefits of heavier and healthier

animals and the increase in the yield of subsequent crops can reduce poverty and improve

the food security and the livelihoods of large and smallholder fe/male farmers. Guar can

also contribute to conflict prevention between pastoralists and sedentary farmers. At the

time the pastoralists are migrating, the fields of the farmers can be protected by the guar

plant as its unpleasant smell might keep cattle away from the fields. Farmers can also sell

the fodder to the pastoralists.

The development of the guar value chain can have a positive impact on the national

economy by increased gross net product, import substitution, higher tax revenues and

creation of employment.

The risk factors in developing the guar value chain are identified in the study and include

the low world market price of guar gum, the international embargo, and the political

instability which causes farmers to abandon their fields. These risks can hardly be

influenced by the actors in the guar value chain.

The study reveals the main bottlenecks in the guar value chain and the reasons why these

bottlenecks inhibit its development in Sudan. This Guar Value Chain Analysis is to be the

basis for the formulations of an extensive development programme. The recommendations

for the development of a sustainable guar value chain are as follows:

The participation of all actors, influencers and supporters is required to identify

potential solutions for removing the bottlenecks.

Integration of guar into their official strategy by the Sudanese government.

Collecting data on guar as the basis for the strategy on guar value chain development.

Learning from experiences abroad to be able to compare it with the performance in

Sudan.

Applied agricultural research is needed to improve guar production.

Innovative and less costly extension services are very desirable.

Organisation of efficient logistics is required to collect the small quantities of guar seeds

and fodder at farmers’ or village level.

A solid study is necessary to assess the financial feasibility of guar processing factories.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This Guar Value Chain Analysis in Sudan is a follow-up to the initiatives taken in Sudan by

the National Guar Council, the High Council for Agricultural Revival of the Ministry of

Agriculture, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the company Fair Organic

Gum Arabic. An impetus was provided by the National Guar Conference in May 2015. This

was an important opportunity for the actors, influencers and supporters of the guar value

chain to meet.

This study is carried under the auspices of the Guar Council, under the High Council for

Agricultural Revival, the Ministry of Agriculture in Sudan. My sincere thanks are due to the

members of the Guar Council for entrusting me with the execution of this Guar Value Chain

Analysis.

I am very grateful to all stakeholders interviewed in Sudan and the Netherlands for their

willingness to contribute and their open attitude towards the analysis of the Guar Value

Chain in Sudan. All stakeholders including government officials, large and smallholder

fe/male farmers, entrepreneurs, traders, investors, bank managers, experts, researchers,

extension officers and staff members of donor organisations provided their insights and

valuable information.

There are gaps in this Guar Value Chain Analysis due to the limited written information

available. This report must therefore be regarded as a first step in an on-going process:

new information and comments should be integrated into the Analysis.

Mr Mohamed Adam Elgalabi, Chairman of the Guar Council, generously supervised this

study. Mr Abdelhmid Adam Mukhtar and Mr Abdalla Mohammed Elzuber, respectively the

General Secretary and Advisory Member of the Guar Council, accompanied me on our field

visits to El Fasher and Damazin in February 2016. This was especially memorable as well

as all the support in El Fasher by Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Ismail, the National Guar Research

Coordinator.

The kindness and perseverance of the fe/male farmers I met in El Fasher and Damazin was

very moving and reminded me that we must always have hope, and work for, a better

future.

This Value Chain Analysis demonstrates the multiple uses of the guar plant and the guar

seeds. It also reveals the relevance of guar for the improvement of farmers’ livelihoods

and those of pastoralists. The development of the Guar Value Chain can also contribute to

peace building in conflict areas and to the national economy.

It is my hope therefore - as an agricultural development economist - that this study will

be an important step towards joint engagement in the development of the Guar Value

Chain in Sudan.

Ms Sophieke Kappers, MSc

Value Chain Expert and Advisor Business Development

Director Kubita Economic Empowerment

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary 1

Acknowledgements 2

1 Introduction 4 1.1 Initiatives on guar in Sudan 4 1.2 Objectives of the Guar Value Chain Analysis 4 1.3 Methodology of the Guar Value Chain Analysis 5 1.4 Structure of the report 5

2 The Guar Plant, its Products and Production in Sudan 6 2.1 Guar plant 6 2.2 The derivatives from guar seeds 8 2.3 Guar cultivation in Sudan 8

3 Multiple uses of the guar plant and guar gum 10 3.1 Use of the guar plant 10 3.2 Industrial use of guar gum 11

4 World trade, export from and import to Sudan, value and price structure 13 4.1 World trade of guar products 13 4.2 Export of guar products from Sudan 14 4.3 Import of guar products by Sudan 15 4.4 Value of traded guar products worldwide 16 4.5 Price structure of guar products across the value chain in Sudan 17

5 Various aspects of the Guar Value Chain in Sudan 18 5.1 Distribution channels of the guar plant and its products 18 5.2 Improvement of food security and livelihood 19 5.3 Contribution to peace building 19 5.4 Impact on the economy 19 5.5 Chain strategy and organisation 19 5.6 Chain governance 20

6 Stakeholder analysis 21 6.1 Actors of the Guar Value Chain 21 6.2 Influencers of the Guar Value Chain 22 6.3 Supporters of the Guar Value Chain 22

7 Potential of the guar value chain in Sudan 24 7.1 SWOT Analysis of the guar value chain 24 7.2 Bottleneck analysis of the guar value chain 25 7.3 Risk analysis for investing in guar value chain development 26

8 Recommendations for the development of the guar value chain in Sudan 27

Annex I Overview of interviewees 28 Annex II Background information 31

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1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter first describes the growing interest in guar in Sudan and the background to

this study. The objectives and methodology of this Guar Value Chain Analysis are

elaborated in paragraphs two and three. Finally, the structure of the report is presented.

1.1 Initiatives on guar in Sudan

In 2014, the company Fair Organic Gum Arabic (FOGA) in Khartoum, Sudan, explored the

feasibility of the development of a Guar Value Chain in the south of Sudan and the north

of South Sudan. The idea was to set up a guar gum processing factory in Sudan including

the development of the entire guar value chain from large and smallholder fe/male farmers

to customers in Sudan and worldwide.

In May 2015, the Guar Council and the High Council for Agricultural Revival of the Ministry

of Agriculture of Sudan, organised a national congress on guar involving farmers, farmer

unions, traders, processors, researchers and government officials, totalling 400

participants. This national congress was a catalyst for the growing interest in guar. Up to

that time, guar was rather an unknown and underexposed crop. In 2015, the Embassy of

the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Sudan financed a short exploratory study on the

potential of guar for Sudan. The Embassy supports the agricultural sector because of its

importance for the national economy and the development of smallholder fe/male farmers.

The exploratory study showed that the guar plant is very important for smallholder fe/male

farmers and pastoralists and their families. The guar plant can contribute to conflict

prevention between pastoralists and sedentary farmers. When the pastoralists are

migrating, the fields of the farmers can be protected by the guar plant as it releases an

unpleasant smell that keeps cattle away from the fields. The farmers can use the fodder

for their own cattle and can sell it to the pastoralists. The guar plant is also well known for

its nitrogen fixing properties which improves soil fertility.

The study also revealed that guar seeds can be processed into guar gum that has multiple

industrial applications and into the by-product called guar meal, also referred to as churi

and korma, that are used worldwide as cattle and poultry feed. The international demand

for guar gum is unstable due to the decreasing demand by the shale gas and oil industry.

The actual processing capacity for guar seeds into guar splits and guar mechanical powder

in Sudan is too limited for both internal and external demand and no processing capacity

for guar gum exists yet.

The exploratory study revealed the potential for developing the guar value chain in Sudan,

and noted the keen interest shown by different stakeholders.

1.2 Objectives of the Guar Value Chain Analysis

The exploratory study also revealed the need for a Guar Value Chain Analysis in Sudan to

analyse the chains and networks in order to understand the linkages in the complicated

structure of processes. Such a Guar Value Chain Analysis would also aim to analyse

potential interventions and explore how successful changes in chains and networks can be

implemented in a professional and systematic way.

The Guar Council, the High Council for Agricultural Revival and the Ministries of Agriculture

and Finance in Sudan decided to finance and cooperate on this Guar Value Chain Analysis

and to organise a Forum for the stakeholders to discuss the draft version. This Forum is of

great importance in recreating momentum for a common development strategy for the

guar value chain.

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The objectives of the Guar Value Chain Analysis are the following:

to assess the size of current worldwide demand and trend over the past five years;

to identify opportunities and conditions for local use and export growth;

to identify product requirements to realise export growth;

to assess the capacity of processing and export companies and the level of quality

standards;

to identify development opportunities in different states and regions;

to assess the potential capacity of large and smallholder fe/male farmers to produce

sufficient quantity and quality on time;

to map the actors, supporters and influencers in the chain from a gender perspective;

to identify the main bottlenecks that hinder local production, processing and

(inter)national trade;

to carry out a risk assessment in case the bottlenecks cannot be removed;

to provide the initial impetus to the value chain development strategy.

1.3 Methodology of the Guar Value Chain Analysis

The Guar Value Chain Analysis was implemented by studying available information. During

the exploratory study and the actual Value Chain Analysis a total of more than 150

stakeholders were interviewed. Individual interviews and group meetings took place in

Khartoum in June 2015 and February 2016 as well as during field visits in El Fasher and

Damazin in February 2016. Special attention was paid to the experiences of large and

smallholder fe/male farmers and the processing industry to learn from their knowledge and

experience. In the Netherlands, importers of guar gum products were interviewed as well

as several experts in different fields.

The participatory Forum on the 22nd May 2017 involved actors, influencers and supporters

of the Guar Value Chain. This Forum aimed to verify the findings of the Value Chain Analysis

and to foster a commitment to cooperate in reinforcing the guar value chain.

Limitations of the Value Chain Analysis emerged as the guar market is in general known

to be constrained by a lack of transparency: market information is hard to come by and

statistical information is limited available. In Sudan, reliable, written and up-to date

information is difficult to obtain and sometimes even contradictory. Therefore, the

finalisation of the study was delayed. Another obstacle was that the terms guar plant, guar

seeds, guar splits, guar gum and guar mechanical powder are mixed-up in daily parlance.

This report must therefore be regarded as a first step in an on-going process: new

information and comments can and should be integrated into the Analysis.

1.4 Structure of the report

Chapter 2 describes the cultivation and the use of the guar plant as well as the derivatives

from guar seeds. The production of guar in Sudan is also presented. In Chapter 3 the

different uses of the guar plant and the various industrial applications of guar gum are

described. The statistical information on the world trade of guar products and the export

from and import to Sudan is presented in Chapter 4 as well as the value of the traded guar

products worldwide and the price structure of guar in Sudan. The description of the value

chain and the relevance of guar for the national economy is elaborated in Chapter 5.

Chapter 6 classifies the stakeholders as actors, influencers or supporters and describes

their roles in the guar value chain. The potential of the guar value chain in Sudan is

elaborated in Chapter 7 by presenting the SWOT-analysis, the main obstacles and the risk

analysis. Recommendations for following up the development of the guar value chain are

proposed in Chapter 8. Annex I lists the interviewees as completed by the Guar Council.

Annex II presents background literature.

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2 THE GUAR PLANT, ITS PRODUCTS AND PRODUCTION IN SUDAN

The first paragraph describes the guar plant, its growing conditions and general features.

The second paragraph explains the products derived from the guar seeds. Finally,

information is given on guar cultivation and production in Sudan.

2.1 Guar plant

Cultivation

In Sudan, guar is considered to be one of the significant crops which has been incorporated

into both domestic and commercial production recently. It is grown by smallholder fe/male

farmers and on larger estates and mainly in rainfed areas. Guar was introduced into Sudan

only 50 years ago. It grows in several states in Sudan including Blue Nile, White Nile,

Darfur, Sennar and Gedaref States.

The plant and its uses

The guar or cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonolobus) is an annual plant of the ‘leguminosa’

family. It is also known as the gavar, guwar or guvar bean, cluster bean and Siam bean.

The origin is unknown as it has never been found in the wild. The plant grows to one or

two metres high with vertical stalks, see Figure 1. The guar seed pods, about 15 cm long,

see Figure 2, grow on these stalks and hold 6-9 seeds which are about 2-3 mm in diameter.

The pods and leaves can be consumed by humans and the seeds in the pods are processed

for industrial use (guar gum) and animal fodder (churi and korma). The guar plant is used

for animal fodder and is also known for its nitrogen fixing properties in soil which increases

fertility.

Figure 1: The guar plant Figure 2: The Guar pods

Source: National Guar Research Centre, 2016

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Growing conditions

Guar grows best in sandy soils: it is extremely drought resistant and thrives in semi-arid

regions where most other plants do not grow. Guar requires reasonably warm weather and

a growing season of 14 to 16 weeks. The optimum temperature required for its roots is

between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius. It needs moderate intermittent rainfall with lots of

sunshine. For effective guar cultivation, the crop needs two lots of rainfall before sowing,

one when the crop buds and another when the crop develops and when it is flowering. It

needs far less water than other crops. Too much precipitation can cause the plant to

become more ‘leafy’ thus reducing the number of pods and/or the number of seeds per

pod which affects the size and yield of seeds. Guar grows preferably in fertile, medium-

textured and sandy loam soils that are well-drained: waterlogging decreases plant

performance. In respect of soil acidity, guar grows best in moderate alkaline conditions

(pH 7-8) and is tolerant of salinity.

Growing season

The crop is generally sown in Sudan in July and can be harvested from November to

January. It is not known yet if guar can be cultivated in Sudan year around under irrigation.

Cultivars

Mainly in India and the USA numerous cultivars of guar have been developed. In general,

branched types are more suitable for seed production, while erect, single-stem types that

produce larger and more fleshy pods are preferred in vegetable production. The choice of

a cultivar depends on the purpose of the guar and whether it is being grown for green

pods, guar gum, animal fodder or green manure. Some cultivars are moderately resistant

to the main disease leaf spot and bacterial blight. The choice of cultivar also depends on

day length, climatological and soil conditions. In Sudan farmers complain about the cultivar

with horizontal pods close to the soil as these pods are difficult to harvest.

Intercropping and crop rotation

In India, guar is well-known for intercropping and crop rotation, but in Sudan these

practices have not yet been generally adopted.

Diseases and pests

Internationally, bacterial blight, caused by Xanthomonas cyamopsidis and leaf spot caused

by the fungus Alternaria cucumerrina var. cyamopsidis are the main diseases of guar.

Bacterial flight is seed-borne and infected seedlings are often killed rapidly. In older plants

the disease develops from transparent, oily leaf spots coalescing into brown, angular,

necrotic lesions. Infection spreads systemically throughout the plant and can kill it at any

stage of development. Soaking the seeds in hot water at 56 Degrees Celsius for ten minutes

will eliminate seed-borne infection. The fungus Alternaria (leaf spot) develops between

flowering and pod set. It causes defoliation, especially during periods of high rainfall and

humidity. Dithane and cupramar give excellent control of this disease. Furthermore, guar

is relatively free of pests. Effective, economical chemical control is possible.

Yields

Dry grain yields under rainfed conditions in India and the United States ranges from 350 –

1000 kg/ha. Yields can be doubled under irrigation. Under experimental conditions over 3

tons/ha have been reached in United States of America and Zimbabwe. Various figures are

available on the yields on rainfed areas in Sudan: yield figures can refer to guar plants,

dried fodder, to pods or guar seeds. Based on information provided by the Ministry of

Agriculture, the average yields of guar seeds in rainfed areas amount to around 280 kg per

feddan/665 kg per hectare. Information on the yield on irrigated guar is not yet available.

Storage

Guar seeds have a shelf life of more than three years, without losing any of its properties

or qualities.

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2.2 The derivatives from guar seeds

After harvesting, when the pods are dried out in the sun, the guar plants are beaten and

during the process, the seeds come out.

The guar seeds consist of three parts:

the seed coat and fibres which are around 14-17% of the guar seed;

the germ protein which is 40-46% of the guar seed;

the endosperm, containing galactomannan gum or starchy material which is around

35-42% of the guar seed.

The processing of guar seeds gives three products: churi, korma and guar splits.

The by-product of the guar gum industry consisting of the outer seed coat and germ is

called guar meal, also referred to as churi (powder form) and korma (granular form).

These are derived from the seed coat and the germ. Churi and korma are used

worldwide as cattle and poultry feed.

Guar splits are from the endosperms. Guar splits are first processed into guar

mechanical powder and then into guar gum. Guar mechanical powder and guar gum

are produced for multiple industrial uses. In Sudan, the final phase of processing guar

mechanical powder into guar gum does not yet exist.

In India, the conversion ratio from guar seeds to guar gum production is 27-33%.

Processors of guar seeds in Sudan state that, according to their experiences, the processing

of guar seeds leads to 75% churi and korma and 25% guar splits or mechanical powder.

So the conversion ratio in Sudan is much lower.

2.3 Guar cultivation in Sudan

Guar is grown in several states in Sudan including Blue Nile, White Nile, Darfur, Sennar

and Gedaref States (see Figure 3 on the next page). Guar is mainly grown in rainfed areas.

Experience with irrigated guar cultivation is quite limited in Sudan and results are not

known yet.

In Sudan, statistical information on the agricultural sector is recorded on the production

area, the harvested area, the production and the productivity. In the overviews on guar

cultivation received for this Value Chain Analysis some States do not appear while some

figures from South Sudan are included. The figures over the years appear to be incomplete.

The limited statistical information available shows that Sennar and Blue Nile States are the

main producers for guar (around 40% each). White Nile and Gedaref States are also known

for growing guar while Darfur State recently started guar cultivation. The harvested area

amounts to around 70% of the cultivated area and this percentage differs from year to

year. The total production of guar seeds over the last ten years is at most 4,000 tons per

year. The figures on the productivity show a strong fluctuation and vary between 135 and

400 kg/feddan.

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Figure 3: Rainfed and irrigated areas under guar cultivation in Sudan

Source: National Guar Research Centre, 2016

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3 MULTIPLE USES OF THE GUAR PLANT AND GUAR GUM

This chapter describes the multiple uses of the guar plant and guar gum. The first

paragraphs describe the use of the guar plant for field protection, natural disease control,

soil improvement, intercropping and crop rotation followed by the use of guar for animal

fodder and human consumption. The second paragraph elaborates the end use of guar

gum per sector and the various industrial applications of guar gum.

3.1 Use of the guar plant

Use of the guar plant for field protection

During the growth phase, farmers say that the guar plant protects other crops like sorghum

from being grazed because the plant releases an unpleasant smell that keeps cattle and

goats away from the fields. So guar can function, besides all its other products, as a natural

hedge. This reduces the chance of nomads’ cattle destroying the fields of sedentary

farmers. Whether this protection will still exist when cattle get used to the smell of the

guar plant needs to be further explored.

Use of the guar plant as natural disease control

No information could be found in the literature which identified guar as a natural disease

control agent. According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

however, some farmers in Gezira observed that the introduction of guar on farms has

reduced or completely eradicated the spread of the sorghum parasite Striga hermonthica,

locally known as ’booda’.

Use of the guar plant for soil improvement

The guar plant prevents soil degradation as it lives in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing

bacteria. It improves the soil condition in a cost effective and natural way and increases

the yield of subsequent crops. The encyclopaedia on tropical plants, ‘Protea’, states that a

green manure crop adds about 50 kg of nitrogen to the soil and that yield increments of

crops following guar can be very high. The farmers interviewed in Darfur and Damazin also

experience high increments of subsequent yields of sorghum, up to doubling of the yields.

Use of the guar plant for intercropping and crop rotation

In India guar is well known for intercropping and crop rotation. In Sudan this practice has

been adopted very rarely by farmers.

Use of the guar plant for animal fodder

After harvesting, the fodder is used as cattle and poultry feed because of the high protein

content. The Butana Project financed by the IFAD introduced guar as a fodder crop in 2012.

The results of this project show the importance of the guar plant as fodder demonstrated

by a proven increase in the weight of goats, increase in lactation and reduction of kidding

interval. Sedentary farmers can also sell the fodder to the nomads as cattle feed. During

processing of guar seeds into mechanical powder, churi and korma are leftovers and these

are also used as cattle feed in Sudan and worldwide.

Use of the guar plant for human consumption

In India, sweet and tender young pods of the guar plant are consumed as a vegetable. The

young pods are also eaten as snacks after drying and frying. Mature seeds have been eaten

as a pulse during periods of food shortage. The guar leaves can be used like spinach. The

pods and green leaves of the guar plant are important for human consumption because of

the high protein content. As far as is known, guar pods, seeds and leaves of the guar plant

are not used for human consumption in Sudan.

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3.2 Industrial use of guar gum

3.2.1 End use of guar gum per sector

The guar seeds are crushed to make a mechanical powder that can then be processed into

guar gum. Important parameters of guar gum for industrial uses are the percentage of

protein, the solubility, viscosity, moisture, granulation and water thickening potency.

No recent information has been found on the worldwide demand for guar gum specified

per sector. Euromonitor International analysed in 2010 the use of guar gum within the so-

called Fast Moving Consumer Goods sector, not including the use of guar gum for the

pharmaceutical, paper and textile industry or for important sectors such as the shale gas

and the oil industry.

Aranca, a global research, analytical and advisory firm mentions in Figure 4 the following

percentages of guar end use applications in 2014.

Figure 4: End use of guar applications

Source: Aranca 2014.

The oil industry is using guar gum for horizontal fracturing during oil winning. Due to the

low oil price this method of oil extraction hardly occurs anymore and the demand for guar

gum by the oil industry therefore decreased significantly over the last years.

The same applies to shale gas production which also decreased due to the low oil price. It

is not yet known if shale gas production will result in a renewed demand for guar gum as

it provokes protests because of the assumed environmental risks.

Oil industry

8%Pharmaceutical

industry9%

Textile and

paper industry

11%

Food

industry18%

Explosives

for shale gas

production

54%

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3.2.2 Various industrial applications of guar gum

This paragraph describes the various applications of guar gum in a multiplicity of industrial

sectors.

Cosmetics: Guar gum is used as a thickener and protective colloid in skin care products,

creams, hair shampoos and conditioners, and lotions. It is also used in toothpaste and

shaving cream for easy extrusion from the container tube.

Explosives: Guar gum is used because of its ability to efficiently thicken the nitrate salt

solution which is the basic component of slurry explosive formulations as well as cross-

linking agents for gel and slurry explosives systems. Therefore the guar gum is used in

shale gas production but as explained above, shale gas production decreased due to the

low oil price resulting in a lower demand for guar gum.

Food industry: In the food industry guar gum is used in many products: bakery goods,

confectionary, sauces and salads, beverages, frozen food and dairy products. Guar gum

reduces crystal formation, acts as a (water) binder and stabiliser to extend shelf life. Guar

gum improves texture and smoothness, maintains uniform viscosity and colour. It is also

used for viscosity control and reduction of calorific value.

Metallurgical and mining: Guar gum is widely used as a flocculent to produce liquid/solid

separation. Guar gum is also used in flotation. It acts as a depressant for talc or insoluble

gangue mined along with valuable minerals.

Munitions: Guar gum is used as a thickener in flame-throwers and pyro-technical

munitions. A reasonable assumption is that no stakeholder in the guar value chain would

want to support the weapons industry. The use of guar gum in munitions seems to be very

limited.

Oil drilling: Industrial grade guar gum powder is used in oil well fracturing, oil well

stimulation, mud drilling and industrial applications and preparations as a stabiliser,

thickener and suspension agent. Guar gum products reduce friction in the holes, and so

minimise power requirements. Some guar gum products act to minimise water loss should

this occur in broken geological formations. As explained above, due to the low oil price

horizontal fracturing for oil production hardly occurs anymore and the demand for guar

gum by the oil industry has decreased significantly.

Paper industry: Guar gum is used as a wet-end additive. It gives denser surface to the

paper used for printing. Guar gum imparts improved writing properties, better bonding

strength and increased hardness. Due to improved adhesion, it gives better breaking and

folding strengths.

Pharmaceutical industries: Guar gum powder is used in the pharmaceutical industry in

tablets as a binder; guar gum hydrates and forms a thick gel layer on the tablet surface.

Guar gum is also an important non-calorific source of soluble dietary fibre and cleanses the

intestinal system.

Textile industry: Guar gum gives film forming and thickening properties when used for

textile sizing and printing to keep the dye stuff from spreading on the fabric. It reduces

dusting while sizing and gives better efficiency in production.

Variety of other industries: Guar gum powder is also used in a variety of other industrial

sectors and products like battery electrolytes, carpet printing, ceramics, firefighting, fish

farming, paint industry, pet food, photography, printing inks, synthetic resins, water paint

and water treatment.

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4 WORLD TRADE, EXPORT FROM AND IMPORT TO SUDAN, VALUE AND

PRICE STRUCTURE

Firstly, this chapter describes the world trade in guar products. The next paragraphs

present the export from and import of guar products to Sudan. The fourth paragraph shows

the worldwide development of the value of guar products. The last paragraph discusses

the price structure of the guar products across the guar value chain in Sudan.

4.1 World trade of guar products

Guar seeds are processed into churi, korma, guar splits, mechanical powder and guar gum,

(see also Chapter 2.2). All five derivatives of guar seeds are traded in Sudan and

internationally. The classification of goods has different notations internationally. Most

important is the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (the HS Code),

and the E numbers that are codes for substances that are permitted for use

as food additives within the European Union and Switzerland.

The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System uses the Hs code 130232 for

‘Mucilages and thickeners, derived from locust beans, locust bean seeds or guar seeds,

whether or not modified’. This system doesn’t have specific codes for all five derivatives

but uses the following classification:

Hs Code 13023230: Guar Gum treated and pulverised; referring to guar gum and guar

mechanical powder;

Hs Code 13023220: Guar Gum refined split; referring to the guar splits;

Hs Code 13023210: Guar Meal, referring to churi, korma and a mix of them.

The worldwide trade in guar products is relatively small. So the statistical sources for

international trade on guar products, such as the International Trade Centre (that draws

its figures from United Nations Statistics) collect information on the overall code 130232

only. It is assumed that most of the international trade is in ‘guar gum treated and

pulverised' (Hs Code 13023230). International statistics also double count some trade

when countries are re-exporting guar products directly or after further processing. This

also emerges from Table 1 below.

Table 1: Position of countries in 2015 as exporters of guar products: HS 130232

Country Position Export

in Tons

% of

world export in tons

% of

world export in value

Export in

Value USD (x 1.000)

Position Country

India 1 408.307 81,2 61,6 708.458 1 India

Pakistan 2 18.791 3.7 7,7 88.626 2 Spain

Lithuania 3 15.558 0.03 0.05 61.165 3 USA

Spain 4 10.552 0.02 0,04 46.184 4 Italy

USA 5 9.724 0.02 0.04 41.666 5 Pakistan

Australia 22 293 0.0006 0.002 2.413 20 Australia

Sudan 37 40 0.00008 0.00004 93 48 Sudan

Source: International Trade Centre, 2016

14

India is considered the largest producer of guar contributing about 80% of the total world

production, Pakistan contributes 15% to world production followed by Australia, Sudan and

the United States with 5%. The exact percentages differ per source. Table 1 on the previous

page shows that producing countries like USA and Australia only export part of their

production. This Table also shows that Sudan plays a negligible role in the world trade of

guar products.

Table 1 also shows that Indian exports of guar products account for 81% of global exports

in terms of volume while representing almost 62% of the total value. On the other hand,

Spain, a country not producing guar, has export values almost eight times higher than its

imports, illustrating how non-guar producing export countries are able to add value to the

imported guar products by processing it into high(er) quality guar gum.

The figure on the international export in guar products below shows a quite stable trade in

volume from 2011 and 2013 while increasing in 2014. The drop in volume exported in

2015 might be explained by the drop in demand for guar by the shale gas and oil industry:

due to the low oil price, shale gas production and the horizontal fracturing for oil production

became less competitive (see also paragraph 3.2.1).

Figure 5: World export of guar products: HS 130232

Source: International Trade Centre, 2016

4.2 Export of guar products from Sudan

The limitations of available specific statistical information for the international trade on

guar products as described in the previous paragraph also applies to the statistics for the

export of guar products from Sudan. Another obstacle for Sudan is that the International

Trade Centre makes no distinction yet between the two countries, Sudan and South Sudan.

It is suggested that the figures refer to Sudan mainly as the export from South Sudan is

assumed to be quite limited. It is not known when the statistics for Sudan and South Sudan

will be submitted separately.

Figure 6 on the next page shows the export from Sudan of guar products over the years

2011 to 2015. In Sudan, there is no production of guar gum yet so the export of the guar

products from Sudan with the code HS 130232 refers to guar mechanical powder, guar

splits, churi and korma.

In Sudan, a huge increase in exports occurred. This sudden export growth shows the

capacity of large and smallholder fe/male farmers to respond very quickly to an increase

in price and international demand as occurred in 2012.

-

100

200

300

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8.000

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

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me (

x1000 k

g)

Valu

e U

SD

(x1000)

YearVolume

Value

15

Figure 6: Export of guar products: HS 130232

Source: International Trade Centre, 2016

4.3 Import of guar products by Sudan

The limitations of the available statistical information for the international trade in guar

products as described in the previous paragraphs also apply to import statistics of guar

products into Sudan. No information is yet available on the national trade in guar products

in Sudan or on the use of the different guar products by the various national industries.

Figure 7 shows the import by Sudan of guar products over the years 2012 – 2015; no

information was available for the year 2011. These imports could refer mainly to guar gum

as this cannot be produced in Sudan yet while mechanical powder, guar splits, churi and

korma are nationally available.

Figure 7: Import by Sudan of Guar products: HS 130232

Source: International Trade Centre, 2016

Since 2015 volume imports of guar products have been decreasing, while the use of guar

gum in various industries in Sudan is still needed. The decrease in imports might be

explained by the lack of foreign currency in Sudan that is needed to pay for the import of

guar gum.

0

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150

200

250

300

0

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100

150

200

250

300

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

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me (

x1000 K

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SD

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2012 2013 2014 2015

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16

4.4 Value of traded guar products worldwide

Figure 8 shows the development of the value of the guar products (HS 130232) during the

years 2011-2015. The development of the value of the export of guar products worldwide

and from India show a comparable pattern.

In 2012, guar prices increased significantly. The main reason was the inventory build-up

by the two companies Halliburton and Schlumberger amidst the fear of shortage of guar

gum for drilling due to ongoing drought in Rajasthan in India. Therefore these two

companies built up a large inventory leading to a price increase as well as taking

temporarily a relatively high share of the guar gum used in the oil and shale gas industry

The value of guar products has been decreasing over the years. Importers in the

Netherlands state that they paid even lower prices in 2016 than in 2015. At the beginning

of 2017 the prices are increasing slightly and the prices of the guar gum for the oil industry

are 1.450 USD/MT CFR Rotterdam and for the food industry between 1.100 -1.300 USD/MT

FOB Mundra India. The premium of organic guar gum is about 10%. The prices for churi

and korma remain stable in recent years between 470-520 USD/MT FOB Mundra, India.

Dutch importers interviewed don’t import refined splits. Indian exporters state that the

price of guar refined splits amounts to around 700 USD / MT FOB Mundra, India. These

international prices are important references if Sudan wants to enter the guar gum world

market.

Figure 8: Development of the value of guar products in USD per ton

Source: International Trade Centre, 2016

Figure 8 also shows that a country like Spain added high value to their guar products by

further processing it to high(er) quality guar gum. Sudan on the other hand shows a low

value of their exported products as it refers to non-processed guar products because the

country cannot produce guar gum yet. It is apparent from this figure that Sudan pays

relatively high prices for imported guar gum.

0

2.000

4.000

6.000

8.000

10.000

12.000

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015Valu

e G

ar

Dollars

/Ton

Year

Import to Sudan Export from Sudan

Export World Export from India

Export from Spain

17

4.5 Price structure of guar products across the value chain in

Sudan

Many large and smallholder fe/male farmers, traders, processors, and exporters were

interviewed for this study about the prices paid and/or received for the different guar

products. The information given is however quite contradictory. Exporters stated

sometimes that they receive prices well above the prices on the world market; and prices

paid and received for the different guar products across the value chain in Sudan are not

consistent either.

The reason for the conflicting and slightly unrealistic prices might be that the respondents

refer to different years, miscalculate the exchange rate between Sudanese Pounds and US

Dollars and/or make use of different standard units of feddans, hectares, bowls and sacs.

It is also noted that those respondents having a guar stock, refer to, and speculate, with

2012 prices in mind.

18

5 VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE GUAR VALUE CHAIN IN SUDAN

This chapter first describes the distribution channel of guar products in Sudan. It is followed

by the contribution of guar to the improvement of food security of smallholder fe/male

farmers, peace building, and the impact of the guar value chain on the Sudanese national

economy. Then the chain strategy and organisation is analysed as well as the chain

governance.

5.1 Distribution channels of the guar plant and its products

Figure 9 below shows the distribution channel of guar products within Sudan and from

Sudan to the international market.

Figure 9 Distribution channel of the guar plant and its products

The distribution channel shows that traders and processers are the suppliers of guar seeds

but they are not specialists in the different guar seed varieties. The figure also shows that

smallholder fe/male farmers and processors are barely connected.

Smallholder fe/male farmers

Large farmers

Traders

supplying guar seeds

Processors

suppling guar seeds

Middlemen, traders

National

industry

Processors Exporters

Local

markets, pastoralist

Importers of

churi,

korma,

splits and

mechanical powder

19

5.2 Improvement of food security and livelihood

The guar value chain will contribute positively to improvement of the food security and

livelihood of smallholder fe/male farmers. As described in Chapter 3, the guar plant is

important as a fodder crop for cattle and poultry resulting in a proven increase in the

weight of goats, increase in lactation and reduction of kidding interval, thus contributing

to improved food security. Furthermore, smallholder fe/male farmers will benefit from

increased income from the sale of fodder and heavier and healthier animals thus reducing

poverty and improving livelihoods. Trade in guar will also open access to remote areas

where people feel neglected.

5.3 Contribution to peace building

It is the general belief that the development of the guar value chain will contribute

positively to peace building in the conflict regions. Guar can contribute to conflict

prevention between pastoralists and sedentary farmers. Farmers can sell the dried fodder

to the pastoralists. It is said by the farmers that the fields can be protected by the guar

plant as it releases an unpleasant smell that keeps cattle away from the fields at the time

when the pastoralists are migrating. It should be further researched if this protection will

still exist when cattle get used to the smell of the guar plant when it is grown over years.

5.4 Impact on the economy

Actually, the impact of the guar value chain on the Sudanese economy is rather limited as

the chain is not well developed yet. The employment in the five existing processing

factories is at most 100 persons. As guar is not widely grown yet, the tax revenue for the

government is correspondingly also limited. As a processing factory for guar gum does not

yet exist in Sudan, the guar gum for the national industry needs to be imported. This has

a negative effect on the import/export balance and scarce international currencies.

The future development of the guar value chain might have a positive effect on the national

economy because of possible import substitution, the creation of employment and added

value across the guar value chain. The increase in income would subsequently increase the

tax revenue for the Sudanese government. The decreasing tensions between sedentary

farmers and pastoralist might also contribute to a more stable economy and lower defence

costs.

5.5 Chain strategy and organisation

The cultivation and processing of guar in Sudan seems to be characterised by an ad hoc

approach by the different stakeholders. Over the last thirty years initiatives come and go:

traders supply guar seeds to farmers and then stop or continue for one year only.

Entrepreneurs start processing factories and most of them stopped within a couple of

years. Large and smallholder fe/male farmers show similar features: interest in guar

cultivation comes and goes because of unknown diseases in the guar resulting in

disappointing yields and also because of lack of support and extension services.

20

The different stakeholders across the guar value chain communicate very little and they

have opinions about each other. Stakeholders seem to be trapped in their own world. An

example is an agricultural researcher knowing the disease in the guar plant from which

farmers suffer. He didn’t share his valuable knowledge as this should be the task of an

agricultural extension officer. Another example is that large and smallholder fe/male

farmers barely communicate with the processors which results in the farmers stocking their

guar seeds. Large and smallholder fe/male farmers may be waiting for higher prices and

may be speculating that prices would be higher next year. They may also not be aware of

reasonable market prices. In the meantime, the processors are in urgent need of guar

seeds in order to serve their clients.

A chain strategy and adequate organisation to develop the guar value chain in Sudan does

not exist yet. The National Guar Conference in May 2015 and the National Forum on Guar

in May 2017 organised by the Guar Council was an impetus for the actors, influencers and

supporters of the guar value chain to meet. These conferences were important steps

towards comprehensive and sustainable development of the guar chain strategy and

organisation.

5.6 Chain governance

The ‘guar chain governance’ refers to the relationships among the stakeholders that

operate within or influence the range of activities required to bring the guar from growers

to the numerous different end users. The chain governance also refers to the power and

the ability of stakeholders to exert control along the guar value chain and to decide what

is to be produced, how it is to be produced and how much and when. The guar chain

governance in Sudan is still weak due to a lack of a chain strategy, weak organisation and

lack of communication amongst the stakeholders. The National Guar Conference in 2015,

the National Forum on Guar in 2017, the exploratory study and this study show, however,

that stakeholders have a strong wish for a common shared development strategy and a

balanced chain governance.

21

6 STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS

Stakeholders can be differentiated according to their relevance to the guar value chain:

chain actors, chain influencers and chain supporters.

6.1 Actors of the Guar Value Chain

Input suppliers

Seeds are supplied to the farmers by traders or by processors of guar. These traders and

processors do not possess the specific knowledge and information on the different guar

varieties. Suppliers of specialised (harvesting) machinery for guar cultivation do not exist

yet in Sudan.

Large and smallholder fe/male farmers

The guar plant is still quite unknown in Sudan. Large and smallholder fe/male farmers in

Blue Nile, White Nile, Darfur, Sennar and Gedaref States grow guar. Some processors also

grow guar themselves. All farmers state that their main problems are ignorance of the

right cultivar, the disease which kills the plant very quickly and the heavy work involved in

harvesting the guar due to lack of appropriate machinery. Large farmers complain of high

taxes by the government and the lack of access to finance to invest in machinery and

labour.

Labourers

Large farmers need temporary labour mainly for sowing, weeding and harvesting. The

labourers, mainly men, come from neighbouring countries like South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Women

Smallholder female farmers work actively on guar cultivation. Therefore, it is important

that extension services and loan facilities are also directed at female farmers and that cash

income goes to the real workers in the guar cultivation.

Women play a very important role as members of the community because women spend

a large percentage of their earnings on housing, medication and food for their families. So

when women’s position is improved, their children’s health, education and future

opportunities are enhanced and the community also benefits from women’s investments

in social life.

In the processing factories women can be engaged as skilled labour in, for example,

laboratory control and bookkeeping and as unskilled labour sorting the guar seeds and

cleaning the factory and offices.

The opinion of women is therefore needed on the proper development of the guar value

chain in Sudan.

Pastoralists

Pastoralists and their representatives could not be adequately interviewed yet.

Nevertheless, their opinions should be integrated into the Analysis.

Youth

Worldwide, young people have the tendency to migrate to the larger cities. Therefore it is

important to make agriculture attractive for young people by strengthening extension

services to include the use of ICT for cultivation and marketing, thus giving agriculture a

more modern image. Guar can be interesting for the young people as it creates cash

income. Youth and their representatives could not be adequately interviewed yet.

Nevertheless, their opinions should be integrated into the Analysis.

22

Traders

Large farmers sell their guar products directly or via intermediate traders to processors.

Smallholder fe/male farmers sell the guar on the local market to intermediate traders and

pastoralists and only incidentally directly to the processors.

Transporters

Within Sudan the guar products are traded by road. The traders state that trucks are daily

available to transport guar products to Khartoum. The costs depend on the quantity and

the distance.

Processors

In Sudan, five processors of guar are actually operational. These companies process guar

seeds into guar splits, churi and korma and mechanical powder. In Sudan, the production

of guar gum does not yet take place. It is said that these companies all have about the

same processing capacity of 4,000 tons of guar splits yearly. These processors sell the

guar products nationally and export the guar splits, guar mechanical powder and churi and

korma mainly to Europe and neighbouring countries.

A company active in the oil sector, however, mentioned that it had a request from a foreign

company for 20,000 tons of guar gum. This demand from the customer could not be met

as the production of guar seeds in Sudan is at most 4,000 tons per year (see chapter 2.3).

National industries

The national industry in Sudan use guar products but no statistics are available yet. Sudan

imports guar gum as described in paragraph 4.3. It is probably mainly used in the food

industry but no detailed figures could be located. The national fodder industry uses the

locally produced churi and korma.

Importers

Dutch importers state that each industrial sector requires specific, high and stable

quantities and quality standards for guar gum which are consistent with official European

directives. The food sector has especially high quality standards including food security

requirements along the whole value chain. In the experience of the Dutch importers, Sudan

faces difficulties meeting these requirements in quality and quantity and therefore

importers buy the processed guar (gum) and guar meal directly or indirectly from India.

6.2 Influencers of the Guar Value Chain

Sudanese Government

The only and most important influencer in the guar value chain is the Sudanese

Government. The Ministry of Agriculture developed a road map to sustainable agricultural

production up to 2020. No specific policy on guar is integrated yet into the official strategy

which means that the financial institutes are not allowed to provide loans for guar

cultivation. The lack of priority to guar cultivation also results in a limited budget for applied

agricultural research. Each state can fix the taxes to be paid by large and smallholder

fe/male farmers to the government.

6.3 Supporters of the Guar Value Chain

Agricultural Researchers

Some agricultural universities in Sudan integrate guar into their research. The Ministry of

Agricultural has an agricultural research station in every state. The budget for these

research stations for guar cultivation is said to be quite limited as guar is not an official

crop in the National Strategy. Applied research at farmers’ level on guar cultivation takes

place on a limited scale by the national guar research coordinator.

23

Agricultural Extension workers

The Ministry of Agriculture has a department for extension in all states. The number of

agricultural extension workers depends on the relevance of the agriculture in that state.

The agricultural extension approaches to farmers are via the so-called Farmer Field

Schools. It is said that the extension workers are not well trained in guar cultivation.

Certification institutes

In Sudan, several certification institutes are present to certify ISO 21.000, HACCP, fair

trade and organic production. Certification is required when exporting (processed)

agricultural products to the world market.

Donors/NGOs/International organisations

All international NGOs and donor organisations interviewed showed strong interest in guar

value chain development, being convinced of its relevance and multiple advantages. As far

as is known, only the Butana project financed by the International Fund for Agricultural

Development introduced the guar plant as animal fodder in 2013. The NGOs and

international donor organisations interviewed said they would appreciate having the results

of the Value Chain Analysis. They could then decide how guar could be integrated into their

programmes.

Financial institutes

In Sudan, private and government-owned banks and micro finance institutes are

operational. They are not yet allowed to provide loans for guar cultivation or guar

processing because guar is not designated in the national strategy by the Sudanese

Government. Micro finance includes loans up to 20,000 Sudanese Pounds and these can

be provided for general agricultural activities.

Guar Council

The Guar Council was founded on behalf of the Sudanese government and acts under the

High Council for Agricultural Revival, Ministry of Agriculture. The Guar Council is composed

of representatives of farmers, farmers’ unions, researchers and government officials. The

Guar Council organised the National Guar Conference on the 25th and 26th May 2015 and

the National Forum on Guar on 22nd May 2017.

Organisations at village level

Smallholder fe/male farmers cooperate in women’s and mixed groups. Traditional

structures are present at village level along with groups and organisations created by

government agencies (like farmer unions), donor organisations (like civil society based

organisations). Organisation of smallholder fe/male farmers is needed for efficient logistics

as it is too expensive for traders and processors to collect the small quantities of guar

seeds and fodder at farmers’ or village level. The most appropriate organisation for guar

collection varies per village.

24

7 POTENTIAL OF THE GUAR VALUE CHAIN IN SUDAN

This chapter describes the potential of the guar value chain in Sudan. In the first paragraph

the SWOT analysis is carried out showing the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and

Threats of the guar value chain. The second paragraph describes the main bottlenecks

across the guar value chain in Sudan and analyses why these bottlenecks prohibit its

development. The last paragraph presents the risk analysis as stakeholders need know

whether, and in what ways, risks can be mitigated when they decide to contribute and

invest in the development of the guar value chain in Sudan.

7.1 SWOT Analysis of the guar value chain

The SWOT analysis of the guar value chain in Sudan is presented in the following table.

Table 2: SWOT Analysis of the Guar Value Chain in Sudan

POSITIVE NEGATIVE

INTERNAL

FACTORS STRENGTHS Excellent guar growing conditions in

several states. Availability of suitable land. Nitrogen fixing properties of guar

improves the soil fertility resulting in higher yields of subsequent crops.

Possibility of crop rotation. Use of guar plant and left overs of

guar seeds as animal fodder. Guar as animal fodder increases the

weight of cattle, the lactation and

reductions in the kidding interval. Increased food security for

smallholder fe/male farmers through higher income from sales of guar seeds, animal fodder and heavier/healthier animals.

Contribution to conflict reduction between sedentary farmers and pastoralists.

High female participation in

agriculture. Multiple industrial uses of guar gum. Good logistic connections by truck

within Sudan. Focus on the agricultural sector as a

main lever to alleviate poverty.

WEAKNESSES Inconsistent policy on guar by the

Government. Lack of knowledge on guar in Sudan. Inconsistent commitment by

stakeholders. Limited representation of women

amongst the stakeholders. Lack of trust and cooperation

between stakeholders. The double role of the Agricultural

Bank as financer and trader

distorting the market. Lack of adequate guar seeds. Low productivity of guar cultivation. Limited technical and agricultural

knowledge by large and smallholder fe/male farmers

Irregular production by large and smallholder fe/male farmers.

Limited mechanisation by large and smallholder fe/male farmers.

Gap between scientific research and extension work.

Lack of applied agricultural research;

Insufficient knowledge and control system to meet internationally required certifications.

Political unrest and instability.

EXTERNAL

FACTORS (WORLD

MARKET)

OPPORTUNITIES

Import substitution by using local guar products for domestic demand.

Stable international demand for guar gum for most of the industrial sectors.

Supply of organic guar products from

Sudan to the international market.

THREATS

International competition by India, Pakistan as main guar producers.

Low world market prices. International embargo creates

obstacles in international money transfer.

Rising international standards on

Corporate Social Responsibility. Limited volume for export. Limited number of exporters.

25

7.2 Bottleneck analysis of the guar value chain

The Table below describes the main bottlenecks in the guar value chain and the reasons

why these bottlenecks inhibit its development in Sudan.

Table 3: Bottleneck analysis of the Guar Value Chain in Sudan

Bottleneck in the guar value chain

Why does this bottleneck prohibit the development of the guar value chain?

Absence of a consistent

national strategy on guar

The Sudanese government determines the strategy on guar for

many stakeholders, like the budget for agricultural research on guar,

the policy of financial institutes to grant credits for guar cultivation and the government fees and taxes to be paid by farmers and companies. Therefore a proper national strategy is needed.

Lack of knowledge on guar

amongst stakeholders

Farmers don’t start growing guar if the multiple uses are not known.

Lack of knowledge limits the supply and potential for processing of guar.

Lack of trust and cooperation between stakeholders

Lack of trust and cooperation limits the exchange of experiences by which stakeholders can learn from each other. Lack of trust and cooperation between stakeholders also leads to

unstable demand and supply of guar and therefore to fluctuating prices.

Limited representation of women amongst stakeholders

Women grow guar actively and they take care of their families and the needs in their village /society: the opinion of women is therefore needed about the right development of the guar value chain.

The double role of the Agricultural Bank both as financer and trader

The Agricultural Bank buys agricultural products from the farmers at a fixed (low) price as guarantee for the credit provided. By doing so the Agricultural Bank distorts the market forces.

Limited access to finance

for growing and processing guar

Large and smallholder fe/male farmers and processors need access

to finance to be able to invest in machinery for guar production and processing.

Discontinuity in supply of guar seeds by fe/male farmers to the processing

industry

The processing industry needs a stable supply of guar seeds to guarantee their daily operations and financial targets. Processors don’t invest in a guar (gum) processing factory if they risk a lack of

supply of guar seeds.

Discontinuity in quantity and quality of processed guar

Importers worldwide require a stable supply of guar products in quantity and quality. If the processing industry in Sudan cannot meet this demand, importers worldwide will choose another country.

Absence of a factory for guar gum production

Added value across the guar value chain is created when processing guar seeds into guar gum. This final industrial process is not yet

available in Sudan.

Limited knowledge on the

suitability of different guar varieties for each area

Inadequate seeds increase the susceptibility to diseases and affects

the yields negatively; large and smallholder fe/male farmers then lose trust in guar cultivation.

Bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas Cyamopsidis

This bacterial blight kills the guar plants very quickly. No information or solutions were offered. Therefore large and smallholder fe/male farmers lost trust in guar cultivation.

Lack of adequate machinery, especially for harvesting

Manual work limits the area for guar cultivation as lack of available labour occurs regularly. Without adequate machinery, large areas for potential guar cultivation remain unexploited.

Limited agricultural knowledge by large and smallholder fe/male farmers

Limited agricultural knowledge on soil fertilisation, crop rotation, disease control, modern technical operations and storage affects negatively the quality and quantity of the guar yields.

Lack of organisation by

smallholder fe/male farmers for efficient logistics

It is too expensive for traders and processors to collect the small

quantities of guar seeds and fodder at farmers’ or village level. So without adequate organisation smallholder fe/male farmers risk being saddled with their guar production.

26

7.3 Risk analysis for investing in guar value chain development

The previous paragraph presented the SWOT analysis and the main bottlenecks prohibiting

the development of the guar value chain in Sudan. These analyses also lead to specific

risks for investing in guar by large and smallholder fe/male farmers, processors and other

stakeholders. The Table below lists the different risks in the guar value chain, gives an

indication of the actual risk level if the risk is not properly addressed within two years and

suggests how the risks can be mitigated.

Table 4: Risk analysis for investing in guar value chain development in Sudan

Risk Risk Level

How can the risk be mitigated?

Inadequate support by

the government

Medium The Sudanese government can:

Renew their guar strategy. Increase the budget for applied research and innovative

extension services. Allow loans for guar cultivation and processing. Lower the fees and taxes for large and smallholder fe/male

farmers and processors.

Political unrest and instability

High Dialogue between sedentary farmers and pastoralists. The stakeholders create countervailing power by

developing a common guar value chain strategy.

International embargo High Inviting the US Embassy in Khartoum to participate in

meetings on the guar value chain development.

Volatile (and low) world market prices of guar products

High Use of guar as animal fodder and for increasing soil fertility.

Use of locally produced guar gum for import substitution. Creating an efficient guar value chain resulting in low

prices.

Distorting role by the Agricultural Bank

Medium Stakeholders can discuss the actual policy with the Agricultural Bank.

Applying for loans with other financial institutes.

Lack of cooperation and trust between stakeholders

Low Creating trust and cooperation and deciding on actions to be taken by the representatives of the various stakeholders at their platforms in the guar cultivating States.

Lack of interest in

growing guar by large and smallholder

fe/male farmers

Medium Availability of adequate seeds.

Extension services on agricultural techniques and disease control.

Direct linkages between large and smallholder fe/male farmers and processors.

Donors commit themselves to supporting the development of the guar value chain.

Lack of interest in investing in processing facilities

Low Processing companies already show interest in continuing and expanding their business.

Investors in guar gum production to be identified.

Setback in position of

women

Medium Extension services and loan facilities for female farmers.

Cash income to the real workers in the guar cultivation. Women represented in stakeholders platforms. Creating jobs for women in the processing industry.

Lack of respect for CSR and required

certifications

Low Training of stakeholders by (inter)national certification institutes.

Respect for the age, gender and ethnics of workers and

working conditions as part of contracts.

Negative impact on environment and organic production by

the use of pesticides

Medium Training of farmers in the use of biological control and agro-ecology.

Monitoring by certification institutes in Sudan.

27

8 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GUAR VALUE

CHAIN IN SUDAN

The cultivation and processing of guar in Sudan in the past seemed to be characterised by

an ad hoc approach by the different stakeholders. So it is important to develop a

comprehensive package of initiatives and activities to aim at a sustainable gradual

development of a strong guar value chain.

This Guar Value Chain Analysis is to be the basis for the formulation of an extensive

development programme and it strongly supports an iterative approach to improve the

chain and networks. The recommendations for the development of a sustainable guar value

chain are the following:

It is crucial to create trust and cooperation amongst the stakeholders of the guar value

chain. The participation of all actors, influencers and supporters is required to identify

potential solutions for removing the bottlenecks and to indicate their contribution to

the proposed solutions. Stakeholder platforms should be organised in production areas.

As main influencer of the guar value chain, the Sudanese government should integrate

guar into their official strategy and road map to sustainable agricultural production up

to 2020. This will create more opportunities for stakeholders to operate in guar

production and processing.

Developing a solid Guar Value Chain needs to be based on correct basic information.

Data should be collected such as areas cultivated by large and smallholder fe/male

farmers, yields, productivity, price structure and the use of the various guar products

by the national industries.

Sudan can learn from experiences in other guar producing countries and from importers

of guar products worldwide. The stakeholders in Sudan have to compare their own

performances with those from abroad.

Applied agricultural research is needed to test the different guar seed varieties, to

investigate disease control and to analyse the effects of the guar plants on soil

improvement, as natural hedge and disease control. The possibilities of guar for organic

and irrigated production and for inter cropping and crop rotation also need

investigation.

Innovative, less costly extension services are to be welcomed. Modern communication

media allows extension services to reach many large and small holder fe/male farmers,

for instance by short movies on You-tube, WhatsApp. The information should be

transparent to all stakeholders and could include the risks of growing and processing

guar.

At the stakeholders’ platform level, producers and processors have to discuss the most

efficient logistics collecting the small quantities of guar seeds and fodder at farmers’ or

village level.

A solid feasibility study is necessary to assess the financial feasibility of processing

factories. This study should analyse the potential production in quantity and quality of

the different processed guar products in the coming years.

28

ANNEX I OVERVIEW OF INTERVIEWEES

Org

an

isa

tio

n /

Co

mp

an

yN

am

eF

un

cti

on

Em

ail

ad

dre

ss

Ph

on

e n

um

be

r

AD

RA

Mr

Imra

n A

li C

his

htie

Monitori

ng a

nd E

valu

ation

Specia

list

adra

.mande@

adra

-sudan.o

rg0903026621

AD

RA

Mr

Paul H

ow

eD

irecto

rdir

ecto

r@adra

-sudan.o

rg0912349734

Agri

cultura

l B

ank in E

l Fassher

Mr

Khalid M

oham

ed H

am

idG

enera

l M

anager

0911667343

Agri

cultura

l B

ank in K

hart

oum

Mr

Gala

l A

ldin

Taha A

hm

ed

Assis

tant

Dir

ecto

rgala

ltaha20@

gm

ail.c

om

0912218254

Agri

cultura

l R

esearc

h C

orp

ora

tion

Mr

Abdelh

khalig Y

ounis

Researc

her,

Vegeta

ble

s

pro

gra

m

abdelk

halig20@

yahoo.c

om

0912472583

Agri

cultura

l R

esearc

h C

orp

ora

tion

Mr

Eln

azeir

Moham

med

Researc

her,

Fora

ge a

nd

Liv

esto

ck

eln

azeir

_m

@yahoo.c

om

0123307942

Agri

cultura

l R

esearc

h C

orp

ora

tion

Mr

Hussein

Abdela

ziz

Researc

her,

Agro

nom

yhussein

_fa

dol@

yahoo.c

om

0925370347

Agri

cultura

l R

esearc

h C

orp

ora

tion

Mr

Moham

ed I

bra

him

Ism

ail

National G

uar

Researc

h

coord

inato

r

mib

rahim

ism

@gm

ail.c

om

0912569796

Agri

cultura

l R

esearc

h C

orp

ora

tion

Dr.

Kam

al Edin

Moham

med F

adal

Dir

ecto

r, E

lfasher

Researc

h

Sta

tion

kam

ald

in2001@

gm

ail.c

om

0908088109

Arb

Sudanese S

eed C

om

pany

Dr

Moham

ed A

. B

ushara

Genera

l M

anager

asscoseed@

hotm

ail.c

om

0912955801

Blu

nai

Mr

Ihab O

sm

an

Chie

f Executive O

ffic

er

ihab@

blu

nai.com

0912300431

Bonpharm

aM

r Is

lam

El Z

eib

aq

Executive M

anager

bonpharm

a@

hotm

ail.c

om

0926661676

Bre

nnta

gTra

der

info

@bre

nnta

g.n

l0031786544944

Cald

ic F

ood I

ngre

die

nts

Mr

Ronald

Theeuw

es

Managin

g D

irecto

rth

eeuw

es.ingre

die

nts

@cald

ic.n

l0031348566666

CA

RE I

nte

rnational

Mr

Asm

are

Ayele

Reta

Countr

y O

ffic

e P

rogra

ms

Dir

ecto

r

asm

are

.reta

@care

.org

0923333358

Cebo N

ederl

and

Mr

Chri

stian R

aulf

Sale

s a

nd S

erv

ices

chri

stian.r

aulf@

cebo.c

om

0031646021428

CO

PI

Mr.

Hashim

Els

abki Ib

rahim

Technic

al off

icer

els

abki@

coopi.org

0122533088

Dry

lands C

oord

ination G

roup

Mr

Muta

z M

oham

ed A

hm

ed E

l S

adig

Coord

inato

rdcgsudan@

yahoo.c

om

0912800400

Dutc

h E

mbassy–Ju

ba,

South

-Sudan

Mr

Henk v

an T

rigt

Fir

st

Secre

tary

Henk-v

an.t

rigt@

min

buza.n

l

Dutc

h E

mbassy–K

hart

oum

, S

udan

Ms E

sth

er

Loeff

en

Deputy

Head o

f M

issio

neje

.loeff

en@

min

buza.n

l0912160257

Elh

am

am

a F

lour

Mills

Mr

Vim

al S

heth

Manager

svkte

kno@

gm

ail.c

om

0990003000

Euro

pean U

nio

nM

r Jo

se M

ari

a T

roncoso P

ere

raFir

st

Secre

tary

jose-m

ari

a-t

roncoso-

pere

ra@

eeas.e

uro

pe.e

u

0912532343

Euro

pean U

nio

n

Mr

Um

bert

o A

mbro

si

Pro

gra

mm

e M

anager

-

Infr

astr

uctu

re

um

bert

o.a

mbro

si@

eeas.e

uro

pa.e

u0912177309

FA

L G

uar

Deri

vatives I

ndustr

ies

Mr

Moham

ed S

ala

hD

irecto

rm

.sala

h@

um

alg

ura

.com

FA

O

Mr

Muta

ssim

Abdalla

Technic

al Fie

ld O

ffic

er

/ Team

leader

muta

ssim

.abdalla@

fao.o

rg0912396714

Farm

er

in D

am

azin

e r

egio

nM

r A

bd E

hale

em

Ahm

ed M

ohm

ed

Farm

er

0917743794

Farm

er

in D

am

azin

e r

egio

nA

li M

oham

med A

hm

ed G

iha

Farm

er

0917780686

Farm

er

in D

am

azin

e r

egio

nM

r Elfatih K

aro

mFarm

er

0912838163

Farm

er

in D

am

azin

e r

egio

nM

r Eltaib

Adam

Moham

ed

Farm

er

0911151694

Farm

er

in D

am

azin

e r

egio

nM

r Ely

as S

ulim

an

Farm

er

0912338767

Farm

er

in E

l-Fasher

for

field

vis

itM

r. M

osa A

li D

ahab

farm

er

0914582118

Farm

er

in E

Lfa

sher

regio

nM

r M

usa A

li D

hab

Farm

er

29

Org

an

isa

tio

n /

Co

mp

an

yN

am

eF

un

cti

on

Em

ail

ad

dre

ss

Ph

on

e n

um

be

r

Farm

er

in E

l-Fasher

regio

nM

r A

bdelr

ahm

an A

ltoam

Farm

er

0914863205

Farm

er

in E

l-Fasher

regio

nM

r. A

li h

am

ed A

liFarm

er

0919661133

Farm

ers

in D

arf

ur

regio

n (

50)

Farm

er

Fem

ale

Farm

ers

in D

arf

ur

regio

(30)

Farm

er

FO

GA

Mr

Abdelr

ahm

an I

bra

him

Abdelr

ahm

anB

oard

mem

ber

rahm

an8214@

gm

ail.c

om

0123477417

Germ

an A

gro

Action

Mr.

Ibra

him

Sulim

an

Technic

al off

icer

0911680846

GIT

AF

Mr

Ala

a E

ldin

nasr

Osm

an N

asr

Genera

l M

anager

allanasr7

@gm

ail.c

om

0912919671

Glo

be A

gri

culture

Dr

Fahm

i Is

kander

Fahm

iD

irecto

rfa

hm

i@glo

beagco.c

om

0912358548

Glo

be A

gri

culture

Mr

Phil M

ille

r C

hie

f Executive O

ffic

er

phil@

glo

beagco.c

om

0920005533

Guar

Council

Mr

Abdalla M

oham

med E

lzubeir

Advis

or

abdalla.m

.elz

ubeir

@gm

ail.c

om

0912194330

Guar

Council

Mr

Abdelh

mid

Adam

Mukhta

rS

ecre

tary

Genera

lm

ukhta

rahm

ed297@

yahoo.c

om

0912640738

Guar

Council

Mr

Hassan O

sm

an A

bdeln

ur

Fore

str

y e

xpert

Guar

Council

Mr

Moham

ed A

dam

Elg

allabi

Fre

e lance e

xpert

Guar

Council

Mr

Moham

ed A

dam

Jala

bi

Chair

man

mohja

labi@

hotm

ail.c

om

0912789665

Guar

Council

Mr 

Bader

Eden A

bu Z

aid

 C

hair

man u

p t

o D

ATE

bdra

lden00@

hotm

ail.c

om

0912614638

Guar

Council

Mr.

Babik

er

Ham

ad A

hm

ad

Advis

or

dr.

babik

er2

12@

gm

ail.c

om

0123272948

Guar

Council

Mr.

Moham

ed O

sm

an

Secre

tary

moham

eded_osm

an52@

hotm

ail.c

om

0912293578

Gum

Ara

bic

Board

Mr

Abdelm

agid

A.

Gadir

Secre

tary

Genera

lgum

board

@yahoo.c

om

0912919076

IFA

DM

r A

hm

ed G

abir

Subahi

Countr

y P

rogra

mm

e O

ffic

er

a.s

ubahi@

ifad.o

rg0912836138

IFA

DM

r H

ani A

bdelk

ader

Els

adani

Countr

y D

irecto

rh.e

lsadani@

ifad.o

rg0969250271

IFA

DM

r M

oham

med E

Lhasan A

li

Natu

ral R

esourc

e

Managem

ent

Off

icer

moham

medelh

assan44@

gm

ail.c

om

0927035144

IFA

DM

s M

ia M

adsen

Associa

te P

rogra

mm

e O

ffic

er

m.m

adsen@

ifad.o

rg0912535044

IFA

D

Mr

El Fadul A

hm

ed I

shag

Pro

gra

mm

e S

upport

Off

icer

e.ishag@

ifad.o

rg0912944225

Landell M

ills

/ E

UM

r A

bdul H

am

id R

ham

eta

lla

Assis

tant

Team

Leader

abdulh

@la

ndell-m

ills

.com

0922197275

Liv

esto

ck L

ivelihood e

xpert

Ms L

ucy M

aars

se

Liv

esto

ck e

xpert

and

Consultant

IFA

D

lucy.m

aars

e@

gm

ail.c

om

0031619092725

Meelu

nie

Mr

Fre

deri

k N

ieuw

enhuis

Quality

Assura

nce M

anager

Fre

deri

k.N

ieuw

enhuijs@

meelu

nie

.com

0031205306530

Meelu

nie

Mr

Mic

hael R

ots

Tra

der

Mic

hael.R

ots

@m

eelu

nie

.com

0031205306530

Mic

ro F

inance I

nstitu

te in E

l-Fasher

Mr.

Moham

ed M

. Elg

azali

Manager

0912397146

Min

iste

r of

Agri

culture

Dr.

Ibra

him

Ahm

ed A

dam

Eld

ukhir

yM

inis

ter,

Min

istr

y o

F

Agri

culture

And F

ore

ste

ry

Min

istr

y o

f A

gri

culture

Mr

Kam

al M

. S

eed A

hm

ed

Agri

cultura

list

Min

istr

y o

f A

gri

culture

Mr

Abdalla A

bdalla F

adula

lla

Technic

al tr

ansfe

r and

adm

inis

tration

abdallufa

dhalla@

gm

ail.c

om

0912194330

Min

istr

y o

f A

gri

culture

Mr

Sala

h A

din

Abdel R

ahm

an

Exte

nsio

n o

ffic

er

in D

arf

ur

sla

hadin

55@

gm

ail.c

om

0916455216

Min

istr

y o

f A

gri

culture

Mr

Adam

Moham

ed E

l N

ahla

Min

iste

r,M

inis

try o

F

Agri

culture

(M

OA

)

0912180850

Min

istr

y o

f A

gri

culture

Mr.

Abdalla A

bdallatif

Dir

ecto

r genera

l, M

inis

try o

F

Agri

culture

aasam

adlu

ssa@

gm

ail.c

om

0918238439

30

Org

an

isa

tio

n /

Co

mp

an

yN

am

eF

un

cti

on

Em

ail

ad

dre

ss

Ph

on

e n

um

be

r

Monchy I

nte

rnational

Mr

Gerr

it v

an S

ante

nS

ale

s a

nd P

urc

hasin

ggvansante

n@

monchy.c

om

0031104130320

Natu

re G

um

sM

r O

mer

Isam

Busin

ess D

evelo

pm

ent

Manager

om

er.

isam

@natu

regum

s.c

om

0999001011

Natu

re G

um

sM

r Tari

c M

. K

halil

Genera

l M

anager

tari

c.k

halil@

natu

regum

s.c

om

09999299912

Nile S

un E

nte

rpri

ses

Mr

Zubeir

I.M

. Ib

rahim

Genera

l M

anager

nilesun@

hotm

ail.c

om

0912398547

Oil d

rillin

g e

xpert

Mr

Leo K

em

pC

onsultant

leo.k

em

p@

hotm

ail.c

om

0031653590601

Oil d

rillin

g e

xpert

Mr

Rin

us V

ers

trate

Consultant

rinus1234@

hotm

ail.c

om

0031615541553

Petr

ocon

Mr

Taha M

. Els

ubki

Sudan B

ranch M

anager

taha.e

lsubki2

@gm

ail.c

om

0918096987

Pla

nt

Pro

tection D

irecto

rate

Blu

e N

ile

Mr

Eltyia

b B

rem

a M

oham

ed

Researc

her

ety

iabali@

gm

ail.c

om

919663371

Pra

ctical A

ction

Mr.

Aw

adalla H

am

idM

anager

aw

ad3115@

gm

ail.c

om

0918238895

RA

FM

r. A

dil A

hm

ed A

bdelw

ahab

technic

al off

icer

0123370565

RA

FM

r. S

aif E

. M

oham

ed

Engin

ear

0909553400

Range e

colo

gis

tM

r Il

ham

Els

adig

Ahm

ed

Ecolo

gis

telh

am

20092009@

live.c

om

0916321747

Searc

e,

mark

eting r

esearc

hM

r Ia

n L

iddell

Researc

her

ian@

searc

e.e

u0033964103644

Searc

e,

mark

eting r

esearc

hM

r Lex v

an B

oeckel

Dir

ecto

rsearc

e@

ora

nge.f

r0033964103644

Sudanese G

uar

Com

pany L

td.

Mr

Abdulh

ay M

usta

fa A

bdulh

ay

Genera

l M

anager

am

abdulh

ay47@

gm

ail.c

om

0912175002

The H

igh C

ouncil f

or

Agri

cultura

l M

r H

aitham

Moham

med A

lnoor

Taha

Executive M

anager

hitham

1940@

yahoo.c

om

0912119187

The H

igh C

ouncil f

or

Agri

cultura

l

Reviv

al

Dr.

Abd U

lgabar

Hussie

n O

sm

an 

Genera

l S

ecre

tary

abdulg

abar.

osm

an@

gm

ail.c

om

0123005319

Tra

ders

Associa

tion in D

arf

ur

Mr

Faro

ug A

ngal

Tra

der

0911332004

UN

EP

Mr

Abuelg

asim

Abdala

Adam

Senio

r Envir

onm

ent

Off

icer

abuelg

asim

.adam

@unep.o

rg0912165684

UN

EP

Mr

Bra

dle

y S

mith

Pro

gra

mm

e C

oord

inato

rbra

dle

y.s

mith@

unep.o

rg0912170212

UN

EP

Mr

Paul K

erk

hof

Natu

ral R

esourc

es

Managem

ent

Consultant

ets

kerk

hof2

000@

yahoo.f

r0900904125

UN

EP

Ela

min

Moham

ed A

hm

ed

Pro

gra

m s

upport

0919695562

Unio

n o

f A

gri

cultura

l Engeneeri

ng

Mr

Fadl el G

alil F.

Alla

Form

er

manager

Agri

cultura

l

Com

pany

0912861189

Univ

ers

ity o

f K

hart

oum

Mr

Fadul H

ussein

Researc

her

0915087071

US

Em

bassy,

Khart

oum

Mr

Aysa M

ille

rEconom

ic O

ffic

er

mille

ram

@sta

te.g

ov

0912178697

Wom

en a

nd C

hild D

evelo

pm

ent

Socie

ty

Ms.

Halim

a M

oham

med A

bdulr

ahm

an

Coord

inato

r0915120136

Worl

d B

ank G

roup

Mr

Xavie

r Furt

ado

Countr

y R

epre

senta

tive

xfu

rtado@

worl

dbank.o

rg0912397463

ZO

AM

r Tim

Rae

Countr

y D

irecto

rt.

rae@

zoa.n

l0901237401

ZO

AM

r Tim

mo G

aasbeek

IWR

M M

anager

t.gaasbeek@

zoa.n

l0912505178

ZO

AM

r. S

ultan M

oham

ed

Technic

al O

ffic

er

sultannur@

yahoo.c

om

0901237407

31

ANNEX II BACKGROUND INFORMATION Aranca, Guar Gum Market Production Estimated to drop in 2015, www.aranca.com

Australian Guar Company, Website: http://www.australianguar.com

Elsafi Mustafa Mohamed, 2015, Characterization of guar diseases and their effect on

the crop yield in Northern and Southern geographical areas of Gedarif State in seasons

2013 and 2014, National Conference on Guar Crop in Sudan, Khartoum, Sudan

Elshiekh A. Ibrahim, Abdel Wahab H. Abdalla, Mohammed E. Abdel Rahman, Ahmed M.

El Naim, 2012, Path Coefficient and Selection Indices in Sixteen Guar (Cyamopsis

Tetragonoloba L.) Genotypes Under Rainfed, 2012, in: International Journal of

Agriculture and Forestry 2012, 2 (1) p. 79-83

Euromonitor International, 2016, The future is uncertain for Guar Gum as price increase

shows no sign of slowing down (Part 1 and 2),

Fair Organic Gum Arabic, 2014, Feasibility Study on Guar Factory Project at South

Sudan, Khartoum, Sudan

Gitaf Gum Production & Marketing Company Ltd, Leaflet ‘Guar Gum’, Website:

www.gitaf.com.sd

International Trade Centre, 2016, online database

Mohamed I. Ismail and El Hag H. Abuelgasim, 2007, Evaluation of guar as proposed

new crop for rainfed semi-arid regions of western Sudan, in Sudan Agricultural Journal,

2007, 8, p. 133-139

NCDEX, Guar Outlook 2015, CCS National Institute of Agricultural Marketing, India

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