ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the role and experiences of the international nongovernmental organization (INGO) Practical Action in supporting agricultural production among rural communities in North Darfur over the conflict period. It discusses on the organizational and programmatic response to the shifting context and provides insights into some of the key success factors behind the programme approach. Vegetable production was expanded and early-maturing open-pollinated millet and sorghum varieties introduced from other parts of Darfur and Sudan. Practical Action has been working in North Darfur since 1987. It began by providing technical assistance on food production to Oxfam GB following the 1984-5 famine. Practical Action adopted Oxfam GB's approach, which encouraged the formation of community-based organizations (CBO) including Village Development Committees (VDC), Women's Development Associations (WDA) and Blacksmith Associations. The seeds of a solution were first sown in 2003 when a group of village-level WDAs came together to form the Women's Development Association Network (WDAN).
