Effectiveness of extension methods in adopting the planting of improved varieties of sorghum and millet in Sheikan locality, Sudan

Abstract

The present study was conducted in Sheikan locality at North Kordofan State during the period 2014 to 2016. The main objective of the study is to identify the efficiency of some extension methods in convincing farmers to adopt planting some selected improved crops varieties. Seven villages were selected which represent 5% of the total number of the locality villages and 129 framers representing ten percent from the total head households were selected as sample. The respondents from each village were randomly selected. Primary and secondary sources were used to obtain the require information. Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. The results showed that all the respondents confirmed that farming is their main job and used traditional practices, 47.3% of the respondents indicated that the demonstration farms is the most suitable and effective method to convince farmers for practicing planting improved varieties. The results of Chi-square test showed significant differences among the respondents towards using farmer's schools as effective method in adopting planting improve millet and sorghum seeds (X2=6.839, p=0.009) and (X2=4.390, p=0.036) respectively. Also, Chi- squire test revealed significant differences regarding use of demonstration plot with improve sorghum variety (X2 = 5.869, p = 0.015), while showed significant differences regarding use of field trips with improve Millet seed. (X2 =3.673, p=.0055). This study recommends concentration on using demonstration fields and farmers field schools.