Journal article

Publication year: 2013

Pages: 88-97

Journal: Sky Journal of Agricultural Research

Volume number: 2

Issue number: 7

eISSN: 2315-8751

URL: http://www.skyjournals.org/sjar/pdf/2013pdf/Aug/Abdalla et al pdf.pdf

Publisher: Sky Journals

Abstract: 
This paper seeks to assess the degree of crop diversity and the factors influencing the level of crop diversity among the farm households in the dry land sector of Sudan. The primary data was collected from 200 farm households using structured questionnaire during 2008/09 season. The Shannon index (H') was applied to measure the degree of crop diversity among the farm households. Further, the censored Tobit model was used to examine the significance of the socioeconomic characteristics and farming factors on the degree of crop diversity. The outcome of the H' reveals the low degree of crop diversity due to a low number of food and cash crops cultivated. The Tobit regression model showed that degree of crop diversity is positively associated with the household size and level of household income. On contrary, gender and use of local seeds kept from the previous seasons were negatively related to the degree of crop diversity. The study recommends to improve the farming system through enhanced decision-making of the female headed households. Moreover, research and extension services are also recommended to improve the crop diversity.

Harvard Citation style: Abdalla, S., Leonhäuser, I., Bauer, S. and Elamin, E. (2013) Factors influencing crop diversity in dry land sector of sudan, Sky Journal of Agricultural Research, 2(7), pp. 88-97. http://www.skyjournals.org/sjar/pdf/2013pdf/Aug/Abdalla et al pdf.pdf

APA Citation style: Abdalla, S., Leonhäuser, I., Bauer, S., & Elamin, E. (2013). Factors influencing crop diversity in dry land sector of sudan. Sky Journal of Agricultural Research. 2(7), 88-97. http://www.skyjournals.org/sjar/pdf/2013pdf/Aug/Abdalla et al pdf.pdf