Abstract:
This study was conducted at ElObied, ElRahad and UmRawaba areas in North Kordofan State. The objectives were to determine the current condition of Acacia senegal growing stock and its management for gum production; to investigate the farmers perception, awareness and attitudes towards better conservation and management of the tree. The aim was to formulate a strategy and approaches for improving the management of the tree for sustainable production of gum arabic.
Stratified random sampling techniques were followed to select nine villages (three in each area) on the basis of population size. To determine the stocking, regeneration and growth parameters, 27 sample plots (17.8m is radius of a circle) were randomly selected to represent stocking densities of the tree stands.
A social survey was curried out in the nine villages. The sample size of respondents was proportional to the size of villages. A total of 90 respondents constituting 10% of population were randomly selected to investigate the socio- economic aspects of gum production.
The study showed that the condition of growing stock of the Acacia senegal tree in terms of crown and height development, differs according to the density of stands. The management of the tree at UmRawaba area seems to be in favor of stand development and improvement. For example, the overall mean stocking in this area was 295 trees/ha compared to 182 trees /ha and 140 trees /ha at El Obied and ElRahad areas, respectively.
The results also showed that the Acacia senegal stands were mature or over-mature with an average crown diameter of 5.0 m and a height of 5.4m. More than 70% of the interviewed farmers expressed great interest in tree planting, protection and management of gum arabic tree for improving their livelihood, enhancing agricultural environment and achieving ecological stability.
The cooperative societies in the area were found to play a vital role in backing up the framer’s tree-management interventions. The study revealed that the area under the Hashab tree declined sharply from 50 Mukhamas (36.5ha) to less than 10 Mukhamas (7.3ha) per person at present, and the average amount of gum produced per tree ranges from 500-1000g.
The low density of the tree cover in some of the areas was due to the abandonment of the traditional bush-follow system where only 10% of farmers practice this system. The feasibility of gum arabic price seems to be the driving force of adopting the system or otherwise. Therefore, the study recommends adoption of new approaches for the improvement of the existing farm management systems through a balanced integration of Acacia senegal with field crops using sound agroforestry practices in North Kordofan State.
