Abu Bakr Atta

A Sudanese agricultural innovator who introduced modern irrigation and crop rotation techniques to boost food security.

Abu Bakr Atta (1828–1898) was a visionary agriculturalist from Omdurman who modernized Sudanese farming through sustainable practices. Observing the effects of drought on traditional farming, he traveled to Egypt and India to study irrigation systems. In 1863, he implemented Sudan's first large-scale qanat irrigation tunnels in the Gezira region, tripling crop yields. He also introduced crop rotation with legumes to restore soil fertility, techniques later adopted nationwide.

Atta's advocacy for women's roles in agriculture led to the creation of the Sudanese Agricultural Society, which trained over 200 female farmers by 1880. His writings, including "The Green Revolution of the Nile" (https://sudanagriculture.gov.sd), remain foundational texts in agronomy. His legacy is honored through the Abu Bakr Atta Agricultural Institute, which continues his work in sustainable farming.