Economy

Sudan is one of the poorest nations in the world. The vast majority of the people are engaged in agriculture; manufacturing and mining are largely undeveloped. The country suffers from many problems that prevent economic development, including chronic political instability, a huge foreign debt, an adverse climate, and inadequate transportation and electrical power.

Roughly 3 per cent of the land is cultivated. Several times that area could be farmed successfully if enough labor and water were available. Much of the farmland lies in somewhat rainy areas, but the most productive farms are in the semiarid central plains where irrigation is needed. Most farmers use primitive methods and equipment; however, mechanization and modern crop rotation systems are slowly being adopted through government assistance.

Cotton is the mainstay of Sudan's economy and usually makes up one-third to one-half of all exports in value. It is grown chiefly on irrigated land, especially in the Gezira region south of Khartoum. Here, between the White and Blue Nile valleys, dams and canals form an irrigation system servicing thousands of acres of cropland. Cotton is also grown in parts of the far south and in the southwest without irrigation. Other important exports include peanuts, sesame, and gum arabic.

Many of Sudan's farms are of the subsistence type, producing only enough for the individual farmer and family. The staple foods of grain sorghum, millet, other grains, cassava, and peanuts are widely grown. Sugarcane is also produced in large amounts. Supplementary crops of vegetables and fruit are raised in the south, and dates are important in the north. Cattle, goats, and sheep are kept in many areas, and few families are without at least a few animals. In southern Sudan, cattle predominate; they are valued for food and as a measure of wealth and prestige.

Manufacturing is of little importance and employs only a tiny percentage of Sudan's workers. The few industries of significance are concentrated mostly in the Khartoum-Khartoum North area. They include the processing of cotton and other farm goods, especially foods, as well as the making of textiles, shoes, soap, fertilizer, cement, and petroleum products. Small industries are usually privately owned, but the government operates larger establishments such as cotton gins.

The principal mineral resource is petroleum. Small amounts of chromium and manganese ores and a few other minerals are produced. Salt for domestic use is obtained from the waters of the Red Sea.

Both the Nile and the Red Sea are rich in fish, but there is little commercial fishing. Except for some salted and dried fish exported to neighboring countries, fishing serves only local needs.

Forests and woodlands are fairly widespread in the south, but have not been extensively cut by commercial loggers. Moderate amounts of wood are cut for fuel, building materials, and other local uses. Teak and mahogany from the southern tropical forests are exported in small amounts.

The great distances within Sudan and the lack of sufficient capital hinder the building of a good transportation network. Despite a fairly good railway system linking the larger cities with farming areas, there are often long and costly delays in moving cotton and other valuable goods. Roads extend between most of the chief towns and cities, but are often impassable in the rainy season. The only paved road, completed in 1980, links Khartoum and Port Sudan.

Steamers carry passengers and freight on the larger rivers, particularly the White Nile between Khartoum and Juba in the far south, where year-round service is available. Seasonal low water prevents year-round service on most other streams.

Nearly all foreign trade is handled at Port Sudan, the only modern ocean port. Khartoum's airport is served by several large international airlines. A nationally owned line, Sudan Airways, provides domestic service and also flights to a number of African, European, and Middle Eastern countries.