Evaluation of Agricultural Mechanization in Habeela Mechanized Rain Fed Area

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the mechanization system in the rain-fed sector at Habeela area south Kordofan State . The mechanization system was first introduced in 1968 upon request from the world bank for the development of this sector. The basic data were collected through afield survey. A random sample of 200 farmers was interviewed using adequate questionnaire. 11 Complementary data were collected through interview and personal contacts with institution responsible. The collected data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The study findings indicated that the rate of energy used in the area is (0.23) hp/ha which is greater than rate used in Africa (0.05) hp/ha and Asia (0.09) hp/ha and less than the rate used in the United State of America (0.27)hp/ha. The study showed that land preparation (90%) and seeding (91.6%) are the main mechanized operation which are realized simultaneously with the wide level disc. Harvesting is done in most cases and almost for all crops manually (70.5%) The majority of farmers did not own the tractors and implements they used , and in many cases had recourse to hire them during the season (43.7%). This result also clarified that the main obstacles encountered mechanization in this area were. Low education level (illiterate + primary School .54.2%), high maintenance cost (55.8%), remoteness of service centers from the area (available but faraway from the area . 54.2%), weakness of training and extension services and the absence of qualified cadres. (10.5%), (11.6%), (13.7%).respectively. The results of the newly introduced technology were inconsistent. This technology need intensive applied research before any adoption by farmers.