Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 August 2009
Arab oil money is currently being invested in agricultural development of the Sudan. To halt desert expansion and to develop arid regions are different problems, however. The former could not be achieved without stronger political and sociological measures than would be acceptable to the inhabitants. The latter may be financially rewarding, but agricultural schemes may be attended by considerable risks that are often overlooked until too late.
It is argued that small improvements may prove to be sounder investments than grandiose schemes, and that the latter, if adopted, should always be tested by experimental pilot projects prior to any wide implementation.