Abstract:
Abstract
In the Sudan till now, agricultural extension programmes
emphasize tackling problems related to agricultural production , and
introducing innovations and new technologies to increase the
yield .But farmers are seldom provided with advice and information
in areas of agricultural marketing .This has led to prevalence of
conventional agricultural marketing systems ; with relatively low
producer prices .
This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of the
absence of agricultural marketing extension on farmers of potato
crop in Khartoum state, exactly in Wed Ramelei area to show the
importance of agricultural marketing extension .It aims to find out
practical recommendations and proposals which can help policy-
makers to establish a department for agricultural marketing
extension in Khartoum state.
For this purpose the case study approach was used.60 respondents
out of 400 farmers of potato crop from Wad Ramelei area were
randomly selected as a sample, and suitable questions were directed
to them. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) was used for
data analysis, using the percentages .The study revealed that:
•
Agricultural marketing extension is absolutely absent.
•
In spite of their low productivity all farmers are cultivating
traditional varieties of potato crop ; because of their high
traditional storage ability (Alfa , Draga)
•
Agricultural marketing services are traditional and very bad ,
especially the chilling storage .
XIX
* Prevalence of conventional agricultural marketing systems ; with
relatively high marketing costs , high rates of product losses and low
producer prices .
Accordingly, the study based on its findings recommends the
following:
1. To the Technology Transfer and Extension administration in
Khartoum state:
(a)
It must establish a department for agricultural marketing
extension to provide farmers with advice and informations
in areas of agriculture marketing.
(b)
It must link all agricultural extension centers and units in
Khartoum state with an information net-work to provide
farmers with marketing and production informations .
2. To the federal ministry of agricultural, it must establish a federal
department for agricultural marketing extension to deal with
production and agricultural marketing .
3. To agricultural extension and community development divisions
in agricultural faculties; agricultural marketing extension approach
must be taught and included in their curricula.
4.Finally, we recommend researchers for more research and studies
in agricultural marketing extension.