MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 



pace with the growing demand for meat is too well 

 known to need description. An important trade in the 

 export of live cattle and sheep to Egypt from the Sudan 

 has already been established, and it is possible to look 

 forward with confidence to the time when there will be a 

 large export to Europe from the Sudan either of chilled 

 or frozen meat or of some other form of animal products. 

 It is as certain that European interest will concentrate on 

 the Sudan as a source of meat supply, as that the country's 

 cotton possibilities would attract attention. 



The Sudan possesses two other products which are in 

 universal and increasing demand abroad. These are 

 grain and oil seeds. 



Wheat will form an important rotation crop in the 

 Gezira, and will also be the principal commercial crop on 

 the basin schemes which are being brought into working 

 in Dongola. Wheats from Dongola and those grown 

 at Tayiba in the Gezira are pronounced by experts to 

 compare favourably with the better class Indian wheats. 

 They should sell for good prices on the European market 

 when they are produced in quantity. 



Among other grains it has been shown that Sorghum 

 (Dura), the staple food crop of nearly the whole popu- 

 lation, has a decided export value, as an equivalent to 

 maize, as food for animals. 



Of the oil seeds, sesame is already exported in con- 

 siderable quantities, and will probably play an important 

 part as a paying crop under the Gezira irrigation scheme. 

 Ground nuts are also successfully grown, and may prove 

 of much value as a rotation crop. Castor seed grows 

 with the profusion of a weed in many districts of the 

 Sudan, but it is not yet exported. 



Reference should also be made to the great value of 

 gum arable, both to the native population and also to 

 the Government as a source of revenue. The average 

 annual value of this export for the last three years has 

 exceeded ^.470,000. 



Another useful asset is possibly to be found in the 

 valuable fibres which occur in the Southern Sudan. 

 Their exploitation, however, will involve time and careful 

 study. Difficulties as to labour and cost of transport 

 preclude any likelihood of rapid development. 



