Economics of Potato Production in Khartoum State, Sudan

Abstract

Potato is one of most popular and widely grown vegetable in the Sudan. The main potato producing area in Sudan is Khartoum state. The main objective of the present study was to verify the economics of potato production in Khartoum State. The study was intended to specifically identity and analyze the socio-economic factors related to potato production. It also aimed at studying the characteristics of potato growers and their resource endowment. Moreover, the study assessed and compared the cost and profitability of potato production between the three localities in Khartoum State. The study depended mainly on primary data which was provided by direct interviewing of potato growers using a structured questionnaire. Other secondary sources of information included Ministry of Agriculture and foresting’s annual surveys and reports as well as different local universities. The survey was carried out during the period February-April, 2007. The data collected was for the season 2005/2006. Crop budgets, graphical and cross tabulation as well as simple statistical tools were used in the data analysis. The study indicated that the farmers were a hornogenous group since almost all of them shared the same socio- economic characteristic, Seeds, labour, land rent and irrigation were the main cost items which affected potato production. Seed cost represented the highest cost in the three localities. Karrari Locality recorded the highest price and Sharg El Niel recorded the lowest price. VII The regions under study all had positive gross margin profitability and may be ranked in order of coefficient of private profitability as follows: Karrari, Bahri and Sharg El-Neil. To improve potato production in Khartoum State the study recommends provision of production specialized credit, provision of inputs in a good quality at the right time and at reasonable market prices. Marketing processing and export of potato need to be seriously studied in future.