Assessing the factors affecting sorghum production among small-scale farmers in Abim sub-county, Abim district.

Abstract

This research study was about assessing the factors affecting sorghum production among small scale farmers in Abim Sub -county, Abim district. The small scale farmers in Abim district have been cultivating sorghum over years for household consumption and some for sale. The production of sorghum had lower yields in the recent years within the study area. Sorghum is regarded as a food security cereal crop and its ability to withstand dry weather conditions. The objectives of this study was to get about the factors affecting sorghum production among small scale farmers in Abim sub county and give recommendation to boost sorghum’s production. To answer this, the following research questions were formulated. How can small scale sorghum’s farmers in Abim sub county be characterized? What has been the trend of sorghum production among small scale farmers in Abim sub county? What are the factors affecting sorghum production among small scale farmers in Abim sub county? Furthermore, a qualitative cross sectional survey designed was used to gather data from the 73 respondents. The sampling technique used was simple random sampling where 73 respondents were selected to participate in the study within the six parishes in Abim sub-county. The respondents were given well prepared questionnaires, data was analyzed using Microsoft excel and Statistical package for social scientists (SPSS version 20.0), presentation of results were done on line graphs, tables, bar graphs. According to the findings, it was revealed that majority of the respondents with 68.5% were not registered to any farmer’s groups whereas respondents with 31.5% were registered to farmer’s groups , it was also established that most of the respondents with 53.4% were identified growing local varieties while respondents with 2.7% were identified growing improved varieties such as SES03 .In addition, the results also indicated that respondents with 60.3% had no access to credits while respondents with 39.7% had access to credit. In addition, the findings also revealed that the main production constraints which have lowered sorghum’s yield in Abim sub- county. These production constraints included limited access to good quality seeds were out of the 73 respondents interviewed, 63.0% strongly agreed with the statement while respondents with 15.1% strongly disagreed with the statement. Conclusively, the study also gave some recommendation such as; there should be extension of agro inputs stores to rural places so that farmers can have easy access to good quality seeds.