Potentialities of Organic Agriculture in the Sudan And Measurement of the Concept among Researchers, Academicians and Institutions

Abstract

This study aimed at the assessment of the current situation and the future potentiality of Sudan in the organic production field. This was achieved by measuring the concept of organic agriculture among the specialists and institutions. Opportunities and constraints facing organic agriculture in the Sudan were identified, and efforts carried out to develop this type of production were defined. The data were collected using a combination of questionnaires targeting researchers, academicians and their institutions in the field of agriculture and related fields in Khartoum and Wad Medani towns. The results showed that the concept of organic agriculture is fully accepted by the targeted groups. They assured the importance of organic agriculture in achieving self satisfaction and rural development beside its contribution in the reduction of cost of production. Most of the organizations (71.4%), are dealing with the definition of organic agriculture under the name of sustainable agriculture, and 46.7% were adopting and supporting or promoting traditional agriculture as a non certified organic agriculture system. Some of them adopt the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods. A main element distinguishing organic agriculture from other forms of sustainable agriculture is the existence of production standards, certification procedures and legislations to control the trade in organic products internationally. The main board promoting guidelines and had been widely adopted is the IFOAM. The study showed that no such regulations are found in Sudan, and the existing Sudanese agricultural legislations had no effect on organic production especially in the storage and the transfer stages. But, 75% of the found legislations supported the marketing of agricultural organic products. It also appeared that there is no any strategic plan to develop organic agriculture in the Sudan. One of the constraints is that no authorized body to register the Sudanese organic products was found, bearing in mind that most of the Sudanese products are produced traditionally and naturally using no or low synthetic inputs. The study revealed that 72% of the productive institutions are using organic fertilizers, 36% use chemical xii herbicides and 57% use the IPM methods while 25.8% are using organic substances and the same percent using chemical ones. Also the study showed that lack of awareness and know –how are the main constraints which hinder adoption of organic agriculture. Another constraint is weakness of agricultural extension and lack of coordination between the different relevant agricultural institutions. Solutions and opportunities to remove these constraints were suggested by the respondents. Moreover, the study is identifying the different roles of institutions and private sector play to develop organic agriculture in Sudan. The study also demonstrated the proposed projects of Sudan in organic agriculture, fetching valid data regarding the potentiality of Sudan in this field and the constraints facing the implementation of the project. Besides the study was proposed some recommendations which may contribute in the development of the organic agriculture system in the Sudan.