Economics of Onion Production in the Northern Region of Omdurman City, Khartoum State

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.