Articles
SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN KHARTOUM PROVINCE, SUDAN
The producers were selected in such a way as to represent the different localities where vegetables are produced.
The survey was made up of two phases, the first of which covered the socio-economic aspects which are the topic of this paper.
In this part aspects, such as age sex, family size, educational level, land tenure and credit are dealt with.
It has been found that all farmers interviewed were males with an average age of 31 – 40 years.
None of the farmers interviewed had any sort of formal agricultural education while the majority can not even read or write.
The farmers were found to cultivate very small rented farms with an average size of between .25 – 1 feddan.
In addition, some farmers were found to cultivate more than one farm.
Inspite of the fact that the average family size was found to vary between 5 – 6 members yet quite a considerable number of farmers depend on hired labour in many operations, due to the fact that the family members contribute very little labour.
The farmers have little or no savings to finance the different agricultural operations and their main source of credit is their relatives.
It was also found that the farmers have little or no contact with the concerned departments of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (Horticulture, crop protection and agricultural extension) rather they seek advice from neigbouring farmers.