Optimum winter cropping pattern in the Northern State, Sudan

Abstract EN

This research was conducted in the four localities of the Northern State, i.e., Halfa, Dongola, Al-Debba and Merawe.

They differ in resource endowments and resource use.

The main objective of the study was to determine the optimum cropping pattern and resource allocation for farms by using linear programming (LP) technique.

The study depended mainly on primary data for 2003/2004 cropping season.

The results of LP models revealed that the net farm incomes in the optimal models were more than the current situation by 77.30 %, 73 %, 49.40 % and 121%, in the four localities, respectively.

Many scenarios were tried to reflect a range of production options.

According to the results of these scenarios, net farm income could greatly be improved with adoption of improved technology, efficient use of resources and application of the right market policy.

The study conclude that, wheat could be produced on commercial scale in Dongola locality where its productivity could increase to 1.70 tons / feddan (1 feddan = 0.42 hectare.).