Description and Analysis of Farming Systems in South Kordofan: A Case Study of Rashad Locality

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to describe and analyze the farming systems in Rashad Locality. The specific objectives were to describe and analyze the farming systems in the area, to study the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers in the different farming systems as well as conducting crop budget analysis for the farming systems to come up with recommendations for the development of these farming systems. The study also 15 covered the problems and constraints of agricultural production in the study area. Primary and secondary data were obtained from different sources, books, reports and other published articles in websites. A multi-stage stratified random technique was used to select a sample size of 160 households, which represents 8% of the total population. Descriptive statistics e.g. means, frequencies, cross tabulations, percentages and t-tests were used to describe and analyze the socio-economic characteristics of households in the study area, and conduct enterprise and farm budget models for the farming systems in the study area. The results of the study indicated that, average household size is 9 members for traditional system and 10 members mechanized for the farming semi-mechanized. system, 40% or For 4 rainfed household members were in age group less than 15 years, 20% in age group 16-25 years, 30% in age group 26-45 years. Then the last two age groups 46-55 years and 56 years and above are represented by 10% and zero of household members, respectively. Those engaged in farm labour represent 30% of total household size, out of this percentage, females represent 33%. For the rainfed traditional farming system, 55% of household members are in age group less than 15 years old, 23% in both age group 16-25 years old, and age group 26-45 years old. 16 Fifty six percent of total household members are engaged in farming activities with females representing 40%. The study indicated that, average harvested area under the rainfed traditional farming system accounted for 18 feddans bringing crop intensity index to 33%. Household cultivated area decreases to 66% at harvest time, while it is 90% of the cultivated area under the rainfed semi-mechanized farming system, cropping intensity accounted for 68%. The cropping pattern in the study area is dominated by four main crops, these are; sorghum, millet, sesame and groundnuts. Minor crops that could be consumed in the home or sold in the market are; cowpea, karkadeh, maize, okra and pumpkin. All sample households are cultivating sorghum and virtually 57% and 67% of the cultivated land was under sorghum for the rainfed traditional and semi-mechanized farming systems, respectively. Off-farm income from categories listed under others (Gum Arabic tapping and petty trading) and income from semi-skilled labour are the major sources of income for the rainfed traditional farming system accounting for 31.9% and 28.9%, respectively. For the rainfed semi-mechanized farming system, income from skilled labour scored the highest percentage of 75.6% followed by cash sent from household members. The results indicated that, all households for the rainfed traditional and semi-mechanized farming system 17 are involved in livestock raising. For the traditional system, 33%, 65%, 14% are reported owning cattle, goats and sheep, respectively. Camels and donkeys are kept as animals for burden and transportation; the well-off households tend to have camels 6%, while the majority is using donkeys 42%. Forty percent of households within the rainfed semi-mechanized farming system own cattle, 13% goats, 27% sheep and only 13% owning donkeys. The comparison between the two main systems as reflected by gross margin and net income proved that, rainfed traditional farming system is far better than the rainfed semi-mechanized farming system e.g. gross output per feddan for the traditional system is almost three times that of the semi-mechanized system, while gross margin per feddan and net income are also nine times those calculated for the semi-mechanized farming system. The study provided some recommendations, but the most important is that; focus should be on vertical production expansion through provision of improved agricultural inputs. Agricultural extension and agricultural research should play a key role to provide responsive farmers with quality information to increase their production.