اقتصاديات انتاج وتسويق الصمغ العربي فى ولاية القضارف – السودان

Abstract

Economics of Production and Marketing of Gum Arabic in – Sudan Abdel magid Abdel gadir Abdel magid Abu Ali Abstract: Gum Arabic used to be the top cash crop before losing its grounds to cotton and oil seeds. Sudan used to satisfy 80% of the world's demand for gum Arabic. However, fluctuations in production, export and deterioration of crop quality, were due to drought of mid 1970s and 1980s, plus political instability and the weakness of marketing structure. Those factors resulted in new gum Arabic producing countries such as Chad and Nigeria. The main objective of this study was to investigate, and evaluate constraints concerning gum Arabic production, processing and marketing in Sudan. To meet the research objectives, descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyze the collected primary data of the field survey carried out in Gadampalia Locality of Elgadarif State. The primary data was supported by secondary data which were obtained from relevant sources. A Cobb-Douglas production function was used to investigate the factors which affected the production of Gum Arabic. Moreover, a Partial Budget technique was used to assess the net gross return of Gum Arabic in the area of the study; the returns were regarded as a good indicator for investment and sustainability of production and export. The results showed that there was a decrease in Gum Arabic production in Sudan during the last ten years; even though, it ranked number one among gum Arabic producing and exporting countries. The results revealed that there was a great gap (40% - 55%) in gum Arabic productivity between the producers and research institutions due to mismanagement and bad tapping techniques. Net returns to farmers had not exceeded 8%-10% of the total returns as a result of high production cost or low product prices or both. Hashab gum produced and exported by Sudan leads exports of Taleh powder and Taleh gum by 27.3%. The results showed that the taxes and levies imposed by the government on gum Arabic were equal to 27% of the total marketing cost of the product led to a negative effect on the total returns to the producers. The export of Gum Arabic as raw gum led to the loss of value added of the crop to the producers and the national economy. The study recommended a substantial decrease in all taxes and levies imposed by the central government or local authorities on gum Arabic, and that collection of Zakat should be done in kind at harvest time. The government has to establish development fund to encourage the local processors of gum Arabic and to set up an integrated awareness program for the consumer’s in the country about the medicinal benefits of gum Arabic to promote the local demand of the product