Abstract:
This study was conducted in the northern region of
Omdurman city, Khartoum State.
The major objective of the study was to investigate the
main factors affecting onion production while the specific
objectives were to study socioeconomic characteristics of onion
farmers, estimation of onion crop gross margin, determination of
the main factors affecting onion productivity and drawing some
recommendations based on the findings of the study.
Primary data was collected in season 2003-2004 through a
field survey including direct interviews with onion producers
using prepared questionnaires.
Secondary data was collected from different sources.
Descriptive, statistics, gross margin analysis and multiple
regression technique were used for analysing the data.
The results of multiple regression analysis showed that
85% of the variation in the onion yield in the study area was
caused by the explanatory variables.
It also showed that fertilizer, number of irrigation, farmer’s
family size, sowing date and types of pesticides were the factors
that significantly affect onion production in the study area.
The study recommended that agricultural extension
services are needed for informing onion farmers with the proper
application of fertilizers and irrigation.
IX
It also recommended that early sowing is necessary for
increasing onion yield in the study area.
It also recommended that farmers must use proper
pesticides for increasing onion yield.
Finally the study recommended that government
intervention for reducing the costs of onion production is
necessary. And this can be done by certain policy measured such
as reducing the taxes.
