Sudan is blessed with economic potentials and abounds in cattle, which the country is heavily relying on after the breaking away of South Sudan and loss of 70-80 percent of oil revenues consequently. 

The government placed huge importance on animal resource to supply hard currencies within its plan to develop and promote non-petroleum exports.

 

Sudanese cattle is noted for being disease-free because the country’s animals feed on natural pastures contrary to other countries where animals are fed manufactured fodder containing chemicals. 

In interview to the paper, the President of Sudanese Herders Union brings to the surface difficulties and challenges producers are faced with. 

  

A: The increasing demand for Sudanese animal flesh calls for investors and producers to enter this sector to enhance performance by introducing modern technologies. Sudan is top cattle producers with rich natural pastures, which means its animals are free of diseases. Therefore, it is not surprising that demand for Sudanese meats is growing internationally and regionally in countries like neighboring Egypt, Libya, Jordan all Gulf state, and some European countries. 

A: The Presidency and the Cabinet issued a decision to allow exportation of female camels in line with scientific studies. No single camel has been exported since this decision was taken. Later were taken aback by the decision of the Minister of Trade to obstruct exportation at several occasions, the latest of which was in 2012. It has to be noted that this decision badly affected the interests of producers, despite the minister’s argument that importers of Sudanese camel may benefit to breed progenies and may stop importation. Various countries attempted to breed Sudanese progenies but the quality of the product was poor compared with Sudanese indigenous camels, whose progeny is depended on the male to a great degree, some specialists hold. Therefore, it is necessary to consult with exporters and producers who are bound by contracts abroad when making such decisions. 

A: Female camels’ exports account for around 10 percent out of permissible amount. Most of camel exports are unproductive. Banning female camel exports will harm the economy and bring about smuggling operation and will also hurt production.  In fact there is no such a country that levies ban on camel exports. The thing is animals are increasing while grazing lands have decreased after the secession of South Sudan. Accordingly, exportation is beneficial for both producers and the public purse; mostly importantly specialized vets are screening animals before exportation in full coordination with the ministries of trade and animal resources. As herders union, we will not neglect animal resources which constitute the backbone of our national economy.

A: The problem lies in hiking prices of cost of fodder, shortage of rain, which compelled producers to depend of manufactured fodder, rather than natural pastures. The animal resource sector is in want of a leap in-kind to transform it from traditional to modern sector via introduction of new technologies, as well as exerting efforts to ensure the stability of herders by establishing developmental projects and farms in pastoral regions. There is a need for cut in tax on animal resources. 

Q: Earlier, Vice-President Al-Haj Adam called for reliance on scientific studies and researches on animals if the country is to further increase in production. As a union, what do you make of such orientation? 

A: As herders union, we have been concerned with enhancing capabilities and improving mechanisms for marketing so that we are able to benefit from concessions to further revenues. We need to overcome present difficulties by creating smart economic and strategic partnerships above individual efforts to provide needed infrastructure for modernizing animal resources sector in line with scientific studies and appropriate environment to compete overseas.

By Haffiya Elyas