Impact of Conservation Tillage Technologies on Small-scale,Rain fed Sorghum Farmers in Sennar State-Sudan

摘要

The objectives were to achieve food security and alleviate poverty by appropriateinterventions and transferring conservation tillage technologies to the small scale farmers inSennar State. Five villages that lie in a marginal rainfall area (300-400mm annually) wereselected. Thirty farmers were chosen from each village. For each village an extension agentwas appointed. The extension agent organized the farmers into village development committeesand established a micro-credit system. The total number of farmers in the project was 150, eachwith 2 hectares to make a total area of 300 hectare.Results of the initial base line survey showed that the main reasons for low sorghum yieldincluded: improper moisture conservation and tillage technologies, low yielding varieties,improper cultural practices, and lack of credit and marketing facilities. Training at the villagelevel for two types of conservation tillage technologies (ridging and disc harrowing) in addition togood cultural practices were performed. Improved seeds as well as credit for mechanicaloperations were provided.Results showed that sorghum yields increased about 4.6 folds from 73.5 to 336 Kg per hectare.Farmers were able to secure their annual food needs and sell the excess in the market. Farmerattitudes were drastically changed. The main reason behind this success is proper adoption ofconservation tillage technologies coupled with the proper sorghum production packages andgood extension services.