| Al Qadarif | |
| Native Name: | القضارف |
| Other Name: | Gadaref, Gadarif or Qadārif |
| Settlement Type: | State |
| Mapsize: | 299px |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  Sudan |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Eastern Sudan States Coordinating Council |
| Seat Type: | Capital |
| Seat: | Al Qadarif |
| Leader Title: | Governor |
| Leader Name: | vacant |
| Area Total Km2: | 75263 |
| Population As Of: | 2018 |
| Population Total: | 2,208,385[1] |
| Timezone: | CAT |
| Utc Offset: | +2 |
| Coordinates: | 14°N 35°W |
| Blank Name Sec2: | HDI (2017) |
| Blank Info Sec2: | 0.457[2] |
Al Qadarif (), also spelt Gedaref or Gadarif, is one of the 18 wilayat or states of Sudan. It has an area of 75,263 km2 and an estimated population of approximately 2,208,385 (2018 est).[3] Al Qadarif is the capital of the state; other towns include Doka and Gallabat. It includes the disputed Al Fushqa District.
Gedaref State in Sudan is home to a diverse population composed of various ethnic groups, including representatives of different tribes. Additionally, individuals from regions outside Sudan, such as Eritreans, Ethiopians, Yemenis, Somalis, Chadians, Egyptian Copts, Armenians, Kurds, and more, contribute to this multicultural tapestry. This intricate social structure has evolved as a consequence of historical migrations that transpired during the period of Turkish rule and the Mahdist revolution, as well as shifts in the state's agricultural practices.
The state is a natural geographical area on the slopes of the Ethiopian plateau and descend towards the rivers, valleys and creeks loaded with water as well as enjoying the state with the land of clay soil fertile and interspersed with some hills.
A distinction can be made between the three geomorphic regions:
The state is characterized by land suitable for agriculture. It has the largest projects in Sudan for rainfed agriculture, a mechanism used in various stages of agricultural production such as tractors and combine harvesters that rely on rainfall. State silos with large capacity are used to store grain. Al Qadarif also has the largest market for private crops such as sesame and sorghum.
The state is considered important for food security in Sudan's strategic center. Agriculture, which often relies on rain for irrigation, is the main economic activity, while trade in services on the borders with Ethiopia and Eritrea is also important. With the introduction of mechanized agricultural methods in 1945, arable land in the state was expanded until it reached 7,162,133 kilometers, while 2,376,563 kilometers of forest contributed to the production of gum arabic.
The distribution of agricultural areas is as follows:
The agricultural projects in this region primarily depend on rain-fed irrigation and rainfall. Notable projects encompass Um Settat, sesame cultivation, Alvhqh, Labadi, and various others. The Rahad Agricultural Project utilizes irrigation from the Rahad River and the blue Nile River for both agricultural and industrial purposes.[4]
The most important crops are sesame, maize, millet, gum arabic, and sunflower. Important horticultural crops include lemon, and watermelon, as well as vegetables such as tomatoes, okra, squash, and others.
Within Gedaref State, there are approximately 11 designated forest reserves, primarily characterized by the prevalence of Acacia trees, which yield Gum arabic. Additionally, there exist 31 other forest reserves, similarly dominated by Acacia trees, with these forested areas spanning in size from 100 to 800 acres.
Livestock estimated in Gedaref State about 5 million head of cattle various factions and builds up to 7 million head in the rainy season when seasonal pasture available to the mandate and pilgrimage destination Shepherds their animals from the neighboring States in pursuit of pasture and water.
Industry in the state depend on agricultural products Kalsemsm, peanuts and sunflower Therefore, we find the most important industries represented in oils, soap and sweets industry. The factories are concentrated in the city of Gedaref. We are no workshops for the installation of tractors and harvesting combines and other agricultural machinery along with lathes that provide some spare parts and repair parts for machinery and rehabilitation service.
Storage and processing of crops in grain silos and other stores.
The banking system, the state 24 branches of various banks which has 17 commercial and 7 specialized banks, in addition to the Bank of Sudan organizer of the banking activity and the supervisor of the application of the banking system of laws and policies of the central bank.
The city of Gedaref eighteen branches of banks and three branches in FAO, and one branch each of the cities Alhawwath, acanthosis, Dawkah. The integration of Gedaref Investment Bank, which was established with the state savings bank in the framework of the policy of conciliation of Banks and adopted by the Central Bank of Sudan. Technical and mechanical services related to agriculture and the fight against agricultural pests.
Gedaref serves as the state capital and the central hub for the state government, governor's office, and commercial activities. It provides essential urban services. Acanthosis, and the largest market for livestock and quarry state veterinarian. FAO, embracing presidency Rahad agricultural project also overlooking the road transit from Khartoum to Port Sudan. Alhawwath, which is the capital of the province of Rahad and mediates gardener production area and going through the railway line heading towards Port Sudan across the city of Kassala. Dawkah, the capital of the province of tippers and mediating agricultural production areas in the southeastern part of the state. Tippers, it located on the Sudan-Ethiopian border and a center for cross-border trade to Ethiopia and across to all of Somalia and Djibouti in the event of Aaktmal continental road. Gouge bees, and is located near the tourist Dinder National Park Reserve, one of the most promising cities after the discovery of signs of mineral wealth is in gold ore and natural gas. Cottage cheese, one of the state's border localities.