The Role of Agricultural Extension in Raising the Productivity of Rainfed Sorghum Small-Scale Farmers in Gezira State, Sudan: A Case Study from South Gezira Locality

Subject Areas : Agricultural Extension

Refag  Hamed ¹ (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani,)
Ahmed  Bereir ² (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani,)
Hind  Mustafa ³ (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani,)

Received: 2021-02-03 Accepted : 2021-06-26 Published : 2021-06-30

Keywords: Gezira State, Sudan, Small-scale farmers, National integrated solutions programme, Rainfed Sorghum,

Abstract :

The present study seeks to investigate farmer`s application of integrated solutions programme package for rainfed sorghum farmers in South Gezira Locality, Sudan. A field survey was used to collect data from 125 rainfed farmers participated in the programme and an equal number from non- participant farmers from the study area were selected for comparison using the simple random sampling technique. A close-ended questionnaire was constructed and the personal interview technique was used to administer the questionnaire. The collected data were coded, fed to the computer and statistically analyzed using (SPSS), discussed interpreted using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. The descriptive analysis showed that the majority of participant farmers applied the programme components while chi-square test result revealed there was no significant association between participant farmer`s application of the programme components and their participation in the programme as a result of many constraints facing them in the application of the programme components . From this study, it can be concluded that the national programme for supporting rainfed sorghum farmers are very effective agricultural national policy that can be applied in the rainfed sector of the country, which in turn will help rainfed farmers to increase their production and consequently their income through the application (adoption )of the programme components. The study recommends that this national programme for supporting rainfed sorghum farmers should become a national policy, the needed inputs should be available and the agricultural extension officers should be trained on the programme components to be able to implement it effectively. DOR:20.1001.1.22517588.2021.11.2.1.5

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