Chapter Two "6" - Finance and Population Regarding Livelihoods The population of Sudan has increased by an estimated ... 50,000, despite the boycott of the Adwalia. From the statistics received from the various directorates, it is clear that the birth rate remains high, and the population is increasing. It is not possible to count them accurately now, but it can be estimated that they exceed 360,000. The scope of the Finance Department, which I mentioned was established about a year ago, has been expanded. The measures for registering finance in the directorates have been amended to apply to the new conditions. Unfortunately, the number of laborers available for work remains small, but the Finance Department is studying the issue. From the existing statistics, it appears that the country can, under normal circumstances, provide laborers for government interests without depleting those engaged in agriculture, if the interests request them before the deadlines. However, if a large number is required, whether for private work or government work, there is no way to meet the demand except by increasing the efficiency of the existing laborers or by bringing laborers from the Egyptian province. In any case, the demand for agricultural laborers at the end of the rainy season exceeds the available supply. 7 - Agriculture and Lands Last year, only a small amount of government land was requested for agriculture or construction. However, construction activity in Port Sudan is brisk, and the demand for building land there is also high. The government had changed the Zaidab Land Company's decision to purchase a large area of land adjacent to its lands in Zaidab, if it wished. The company informed the government that it did not wish to exercise this option, and purchased about ... 50 feddans. The government then proceeded to survey these lands and settle their ownership. The irrigation experiments for the villagers' lands in Zaidab have been completely successful. The essence of this project is that concessionaires are allowed to provide irrigation water from their wells to irrigate the villagers' lands.