Economics of Agricultural Production in North kordofan State

Abstract

Agricultural is the main activity in North Kordofan State (NKS).Animal production, traditional farming and raising livestock are the major problem facing the farming. The main objective is assess and calculate the economics of agricultural production in Shikan locality. To meet to objective this study the author used both quantitative and qualitative data. Afield survey was conducted in April 2013 using questionnaire. Group discussion, interviews and observations was also used in data collection48 household were chosen using simplified random sampling techniques. Was used . Descriptive statistics and gross margin. Analysis results of study revealed that 64 % of studied household heads were male, while 36 % were female. Age of household heads ranged between 23 -75 years with average of 53 years old. About27 % of household heads were illiterate, 13% received Khalwa education and70% household heads received formal education. Family size ranged from 6-10 persons with an average of 7 persons per household. The study showed that about 88% of the household heads considered farming as their main a activity, considered it as secondary activity 12 % . The people in the area raise sheep , goats ,cattle . About 13 % of studied household heads practiced animal raising for cash as a secondary activity , while 87 % said animal raising was only for home consumption. The study revealed that unavailability of production inputs (improved seeds, fertilizers and labors) leads to high production costs. Marginal revenues analysis showed that high production cost was high for sesame then groundnuts, sorghum and millet respectively. Sesame also had a high profitability then groundnuts, millet and sorghum. The study recommended using animal traction in Gardod lands to facilitate cultivation and harvesting, availability of production inputs and finance and solving marketing problems.