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

الموضوعات :

Refag Hamed ¹ , Ahmed Bereir ² , Hind Mustafa ³

1 - Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani,
2 - Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani,
3 - Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani,

تاريخ الإرسال : 21 الأربعاء , جمادى الثانية, 1442 تاريخ التأكيد : 16 السبت , ذو القعدة, 1442 تاريخ الإصدار : 20 الأربعاء , ذو القعدة, 1442

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

ملخص المقالة :

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

المصادر:

1.  Azhari, M. E., Ahmed Mirghani A., and Adam Elradi, M. (2021). Farmers` adoption of national integrated solution package for rainfed sorghum: A case study of South Gezira Locality, Gezira State: Sudan. MSc thesis, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Sudan.


2. Abdel Rahman, A.M. and Mohamed E. Hamid (2013). Assessment of awareness and adaptation to climate change among rainfed farmers in Um Alqora Locality, Gezira State, Sudan. International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology in Extension and Education System, 3 (3),133-138.


3. Alzein, Ibrahim Nour Aldin and Alasha Abdul Hay Alasha (2013). Cultivation of irrigated and rainy sorghum in Sudan. Published by Agricultural Research Corporation, Sudan. Farm publication.


4. Ahmed, Maaz Hamarai Mohammed. (2016). Factors affecting the adoption of improved rain-fed sorghum varieties in Umalgura Locality, Gezira State, Sudan. MSc thesis, University of Gezira, Sudan.


5. Centre for Policy Dialogue, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. (2004). Adoption of improved sorghum cultivars. Publication Centre for Policy Dialogue, No.8.


6. Elsheikh, S. E., Abdallaziz, A. H., Hamid H. F and Eltighani, M. E. (2018). Factors affecting adoption of improved varieties of sorghum, millet, groundnut and sesame in North Kordofan State. Agricultural Research & Technology Open Access journal, 13 (4), 1-8.


7. FAO. (2006). Fertilizer use by crop in the Sudan. Land and plant nutrition and management service. Land and water development division. Rome, Italy.


8. Harbi; E. I.,  Elgali, A. G and Shigairi, S. A. (1998). Mechanizing the production of main crops; in the rainfed Sector .Symposium of Agricultural Mechanization Sudan. Arab Organization for Agricultural development. (In Arabic).


9. Ifeanyi C. C., Etuk U. R. and Jike O. (2012). Climate change, effects and adaptation strategies: implication for agricultural extension system in Nigeria. Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2(2),53-60.

10. Kinfe, H. (2018). Yield performance and adoption of released sorghum varieties in Ethiopia. Edelweiss Appli Sci Tech 2: 46-55.

11. Ministry of Agriculture, Gezira State Report. (2017). Integrated solutions programme to raise the production in agricultural rainfed sector. Ministry of Agriculture, Gezira State Report.

12. Nyong, A., Faki, C. and Mcleman R. (2006). Drought conflicts, management and resolution in the West Africa Sahel: consideration for climate research. Die Erde, 137(3), 223-248.

13. Sennuga, S.O., Oyewole, S.O. and Emeana, E.M. (2020). Farmers’ perceptions of agricultural extension agents’ performance in Sub-Saharan African communities, International Journal of Environmental and Agriculture Research, (6) 5, 1-12.

14. Shamseddin M. Ahmed and Lars Ribbe (2011). Analysis of water footprints of rainfed and irrigated crops in Sudan. Journal of Natural Resources and Development, 03, 20-28.

15. Shamseddin, A.M. (2009). Effect of water harvesting techniques on sustainable rainfed agriculture under the dry and semi dry climate of central Sudan. Ph. D. thesis, WMII, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.