The Development of the Livestock Sector in the Sudan: A case study of public policy analysis

The Debate and discourse on the nature of the African economic and political crisis, has dominated development studies over a period of more than decade. As the main problems under investigation are still persistent, the agenda of social science research related to Africa, seem destined to be dominated by these problematic. This report begins with relating the experience of development in the Sudan, in social and political development to the wider African scene. The Sudan displays an advanced syndrome of a socio-political and economic malice, which is reflected in terms of many symptoms. Taking the symptom of foreign debts, as an indicator to the degree of crisis, the Sudan had accumulated devrts far beyond its ability to repay. In terms of poverty and declining per capita income, Sudan is rated among the poorest of the poor. In terms of political underdevelopment, and breakdown of state institutions and legitimacy, it is evident that the country had descended to regrettable levels of decay. With these general observations as a background, this research report, started by arguing that Public Administration and the parent discipline of political science have a good opportunity, to contribute in diagnosing many of the problems which have afflicted the African states. These two disciplines have much to offer in the processes of multidisciplinary research which is indispensable in development studies. With this background, the case study of the livestock sector in the Sudan is examined within the framework of public policy analysis. Development policy in the Sudan, as will be seen in this report, has emphasized white elephant projects at the expense of genuinely, productive sectors of the economy, among which the livestock sector stand as a grave example of injustifiable neglect. This case study show how, development policy, in conjuncture with other factors, led to the deepening of the political and economic crisis in the Sudan.