Determination of Optimum crop-mix to Achieve Food Security for Pump Irrigated Crops in SemiArid Zones of North Kordofan State,Sudan
Journal Title: International Journal of Farming and Allied Sciences - Year 2014, Vol 3, Issue 12
Abstract
The current study was conducted in North Kordofan State, covering two consecutive cropping seasons (2009-10 and 2010-2011). The study area covers all of Sheikan locality, parts of Um Ruwaba, parts of En-Nuhud and Ghibaish localities. In this area vegetable is produced by using pump irrigation, on addition to rain-fed production of both cash and food crops. The main objectives of this study were to address the food security situation for the small vegetables farmers, to find out the optimum cropping pattern, resource use and the comparative advantages of crops within the study area. The primary data were collected via structured questionnaire. A multi-stage random sampling technique was employed to select 100 householders. Linear programming (L.P), partial crop budget, robust regression, household economy approach (HEA) and policy analysis matrix (PAM) as empirical approaches were used. The optimum solution that maximized the small holders profit was to cultivate 4.055 feddan of okra, 3.125 feddan of eggplant and 1.125 feddan of watermelon to get a total gross margin of SDG 130565.116. The daily energy received per person per day was equal to 2327.55 Kcal, while the recommended Kcal was 2100 so accordingly, the area is food secured. Results of partial crop budget found that, watermelon, eggplant and okra gave acceptable returns equal SDG 7124, 24151, and 11610, respectively. Results of robust regression for eggplant production showed that, the coefficients of estimates for land, labor and capital were significantly different from zero at one percent level and land labor and capital inputs reached higher goodness of fit of 98%. Results obtained by PAM revealed that, this area has extremely very high comparative advantage and international competitiveness in producing vegetables. The study concluded that sustainability of food security depends on following the optimum cropping combinations, mitigating factors affecting comparative advantages and competitiveness.
Authors and Affiliations
Maruod E. Maruod, Elkhalil E. Breima, Ashraf A. A. Hassan and Mohammed S. Elteama
Keywords
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