p The Soviet Union also extends economic and technological assistance (very popular in some African countries) in building grain elevators equipped with modern machinery for mechanised reception, cleaning, long-term storage and loading. Elevators enable African governments to influence grain prices in favour of grain-producers and create the conditions for redistributing grain within the country. All elevators built with Soviet assistance are profitable enterprises. Following the request of the Sudanese Government, Soviet organisations participated in the construction of two big elevators: one at Gedaref (capacity 100,000 tons), the other at Port Sudan (capacity 50,000 tons). All the necessary equipment and building materials not available locally were supplied by the Soviet Union, which also sent experts. The elevators were put into operation in late 1967; both are paying concerns and bring in sizable profits for the Sudanese Government.

p In the colonial period, metropolitan research centres had a ramified network of experimental stations and bases in the colonies that researched into the agrotechnics of the export crops in which they were interested. They had collected valuable data and keptthem in parent institutions located, as a rule, outside Africa. After independence, the majority of African countries received no such data, so they often had to start their research from scratch. The Soviet Union’s contribution to solving this problem is quite considerable in some African countries.

p In Algeria, Soviet experts participated actively in setting up five experimental irrigated farming stations located in different soil and climatic zones (Blanche, Sidi-Madi, Ain-Skhuna, Isserville, and Madi-Buarlem), and then took part in their research activities. A group of Soviet scientists came to Algeria, and various laboratory, field and other equipment was supplied.

p The experimental studies conducted with the participation of Soviet experts have made it possible to make recommendations concerning the more progressive methods of crop growing on the irrigated land in different parts of Algeria. These methods involve the use of chemical fertilisers, agricultural machines, a more rational use of irrigation water, wider cultivation of high-yield crop varieties, and the like. These recommendations are also needed for drawing up long-term agricultural development plans and submitting proposals concerning further research objectives in fulfilling Algeria’s irrigation programme.

p In Ethiopia, Soviet experts are taking part in research into plant disease and pest control, and also assist in training Ethiopian research personnel to deal with phytopathology, entomology and other fields related to plant protection. The Soviet side financed the construction, with Ethiopian participation, of a scientific phytopathological laboratory at Ambo, which will be engaged in laboratory and field research.

p The laboratory will be donated to Ethiopia as soon as local personnel master the research theory and practice. In the meantime, the lab’s activities will be financed by the Soviet Union.

The Soviet Union’s cooperation with the independent African countries in the agricultural field has thus produced some tangible results. It is comprehensive in nature and is aimed at resolving the partner-countries’ most vital problems.