SOAS Research Online

Abstract

The settlement of nomads in the Sudan is examined through an analysis of the performance of the scheme at Khaslum el Girba in geographical, economic and social terms. The first chapter deals with the methodology of the approach, while the next two chapters respectively give the background to the settlement of nomads in general, and the scheme at Khashm el Girba in particular. The following four chapters assess the success of the scheme's attempts to settle the nomads in a physical sense, and through economic performonce in and social conditions arising from the project's implementation. It is shown that, while there is a high rate of tenancy allocation, the actual numbers settled fall considerably below the expected level. It is further demonstrated that, due to various problems experienced on the scheme, the crop rotation barely provides an adequate income for the farm tenant, except were sufficient resources already exist to allow the required inputs. This results in many settlers retaining interests in their former way of life - pastoralism - while the economic structure of the society is perpetuated, thereby increasing the disparity between rich and poor. In the national context the scheme is shown to be successful, contributing significantly to the annual national budget. Socially the increased irevision of education and health facilities is shown to be beneficial, although malaria and bilharzia remain serious health problems. It is concluded that, while the scheme cannot be viewed as a couplets success, the settlers, through their adaptations, have achieved their own success by integrating crop production with livestock rearing, and that such an integration is a rational approach to the conditions existing in the area. It is therefore suggested that in future more attention need be paid to the people involved in agricultural production, as it is they who ultimately determine the overall performance of any scheme.