Article Outline
The majority of Sudan’s population derives its living from crop farming or grazing, but only 7 percent of the country’s land area is cultivated. Agriculture accounts for about 34 percent (2005) of Sudan’s GDP. Chronic droughts lead to decreased agricultural production and have plagued Sudan for decades. Sudanese farmers raise grains (particularly sorghum, millet, and wheat), vegetables, and livestock (particularly sheep, goats, and cattle) for subsistence. Major export crops include cotton, sugar, sesame seeds, wheat, sorghum, and groundnuts. Livestock, in particular, sheep, also represents an important export commodity.
The major forest product of Sudan is gum arabic, which is an ingredient in candy, perfumes, processed food, and pharmaceuticals. It is also used in printing. Most of the world’s supply of gum arabic comes from Sudan. Other forestry products include beeswax, tannin, senna, and timber, especially mahogany. Most of the trees cut in Sudan are used for fuel. Fishing is carried on along the rivers and on the coast.
Petroleum was discovered in western Sudan in the 1970s, but Sudan did not actively pursue oil production until the 1990s. The country began exporting oil in 1999. Other exploited minerals include chromite, gold, and iron ore.
Sudanese manufacturing is largely centered on the processing of raw materials such as petroleum, cotton, and sugar. Sudanese factories also produce paper, textiles, cement, cigarettes, and beverages.
In 2003 Sudan produced 3.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, up from 334 million kilowatt-hours in 1968. Electricity is generated by large hydroelectric installations at Khashm al-Qirbah and Sennar and by thermal power plants burning refined petroleum. In 2003 about 42 percent of Sudan’s electricity was generated by hydroelectric facilities and about 58 percent by thermal plants.
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