Farmers Perceptions and Attitudes towards the Shelterbelts Establishmentin Farms, Gedarif State, Sudan

Abstract

This study was conducted in Gedarif State in 2012 to investigate the farmer’s perceptions and attitudes toward shelterbelts establishment and protection of farms. The overall objective of the study was to highlight the farmers perceptions and attitudes toward the shelterbelts in farms while, the specific objectives were: to determine the awareness level of the farmers about the importance of the shelterbelts, to investigate the farmers perceptions of shelterbelts, to investigate the farmers attitudes toward the shelterbelts, and to assess the effect of shelterbelts on crop productivity. For data collection several methods and tools were used: questionnaire, checklist, literature, archive, group discussion and observations. The research population of the study was the farmers whom established shelterbelts around their farms while the research unit based on the individual farmers. The results of the study indicated that, the majority of the respondents were of old age and have attended education ranging from Khalwa to university. Also the findings of the study revealed that, shelterbelts in the study area were perceived as useful and valuable assets which provide a range of forest goods and environmental services such as: increasing crop production, reducing the damage of crops, leading to sustainable agriculture for income generation for local communities. Moreover the study showed that, rural farmers developed positive perceptions over time about the importance of shelterbelts and their management systems. Additionally, there were negative attitudes about forest policy and law. Also the study indicated that the farmers in the study area hold positive attitudes towards shelterbelts establishment and their protective role. Despite negative attitudes toward the notion that shelterbelts bring birds, insects and rodents, they were interested in planting shelterbelts in their farms. The study recommended that: the forestry extension should develop programmes to involve youth and young farmers to the shelterbelts establishment and protection, and enforcement of forest policy and law.