Study of Farmers pereceptions and attitudes towards the shelter belts establishment in farms Gedarif State, Sudan

Abstract

This study was conducted in the Gedarif State in 2012 to investigate the farmers, perception and attitudes toward shelterbelts establishment and protections in farms. The overall objective of the study was to highlight the farmers, perceptions and attitudes toward the shelterbelts in the farms while, the specific objectives were : to determine the awareness level to investigate the farmers perceptions, attitudes towards the shelterbelts, and to assess the effect of shelterbelts on crop productivity. For data collection several methods and tools were used such as: questionnaire, checklist, sampling techniques, literature, archive, group discussion and observations. The research population of the study were the farmers who 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 a useful and valuable assets, which provide a range of forest goods and environmental services such as: increasing of crop productions, reducing the damage of crops, leading to sustainable agriculture for income generation for local communities. Moreover, the study showed that, rural farmers developed a 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 towards the notion that shelterbelts bring birds, insects and rodents, they were interested in planting shelterbelts in their farms. The study mentioned that grazing of shelterbelts in first years and inactivation of the law relating to shelterbelts were considered as main constraints. Moreover, protection of shelterbelts in the first years and activation of law were suggested to overcome these constraints. The study recommended that : the forestry extension should develop programmes to involve youth and young farmers for the shelterbelts establishment and protection, and enforcement of forest policy and law.