Development is a necessary element of normal population adjustment and equilibrium. Within the Sudan, like most other countries, some areas have expanding employment opportunities while others are stagnant or declining. In general, development programmes, especially in less developed countries, are a predominant force in dictating the redistribution of human resources in response to changing opportunities among regions. The Sudan, now experiencing technological change in the form of capital investment in new industrial plants, large-scale irrigation schemes and other facilities responsible for the production of goods or services, all of which provide new employment opportunities, is subject to large-scale redistribution of its population.

Here we attempt to examine the relationship of demographic factors to agricultural production and development through a case study of the Kenana Sugar Scheme. Two aspects of the relationship will be considered: first, an analysis of the trend and magnitude of population changes that were a result of the scheme; secondly, the impact of the scheme on the demographic, social and economic conditions of the population.

As in many developing countries of Africa, so in the Sudan a study of this kind is hampered by the absence of reliable published demographic and socio-economic data. It has, therefore, been necessary to undertake a sample survey to collect data concerning the social and economic conditions of the population, their origins and their perception of the scheme.