This project aims to map buried river channels beneath the desert sands to identify potential agricultural sites, particularly focusing on areas within irrigatable distance of the Nile River in Sudan. With fertile land along the Nile becoming increasingly limited, there is a growing need to explore new areas that can support farming. Sudan, a country in northeastern Africa, was once lush with river systems and vegetation but is now mostly covered by the Sahara Desert. Beneath the sands lie palaeochannels (ancient riverbeds and drainage systems) that contain fertile sediments and are highly suitable for agriculture. Agriculture has expanded into the desert over the past decade, revealing the potential of buried channels, but more fertile land is needed to continue this growth. In this study, we utilized a radar remote sensing sensor called PALSAR (Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar) to image subsurface hydrologic and geomorphic features. This sensor is capable of penetrating deeper into the ground from space, detecting buried palaeochannels and revealing areas that may harbour soil. Our reconnaissance mapping has uncovered a vast network of palaeochannels within a 40-mile radius of the Nile River, offering potential locations for agricultural expansion.
