Interemediate Technology Evelopment And Utilization For Sustainable Rural Development In North Darfur State, Sudan A Case Study Of Darfur Program Of Intermediate Technology Development Group

Abstract

This study was undertaken to analyze aspects of development and utilization of intermediate technology for sustainable rural development in North Darfur area by the Darfur program of the Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG) a non-governmental development organization. The study site is located in North Darfur state. It is comprised of many villages. Nearly all people in the area practice rain-fed agriculture. The Intermediate Technology Development Group provide many services and perform activities directed towards sustainable rural development in the area. A conceptual model was employed in this study to analyze the impact of ITDG services and activities on sustainable rural development in the study area. The model involved five variables, namely adoption rate of extension packages, degree of awareness about extension packages, area cultivated, years of formal education and age. A multi-stage stratified random sampling procedure was employed for selection of seven villages representing the project area, and seventy five respondents for purposes of the study. The sample was designed to represent both sexes. For primary data collection, a comprehensive questionnaire and direct interviewing were used while secondary data were obtained from various resources, including books, reports and documents from ITDG office. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program was used for data analysis and testing of the study hypotheses. Analysis was conducted to generate, descriptive statistics, frequencies, t.test statistics, correlation and regression coefficients. Data analysis results showed that there are significant differences between males and females in relation to the conceptual model variables. Regression analysis revealed that the adoption of ITDG services and activities are related to awareness about extension packages and years of formal education. Thus, the study points to the importance of extension and formal education for sustainable rural development. Based on the finding of the study, it is recommended that the Darfur programme of ITDG needs to improve the impact of the project through: Mobilization of extension services to raise the degree of awareness in the targeted communities. More training sections in ITDG women development activities. Facilitating access to marketing and credit supply sources to provide incentives for adoption of recommended packages. The study revealed that the utilization of intermediate technology through ITDG services and activities in the study area is significantly related to a number of variables including ,adoption of extension packages, awareness about extension packages, education and area cultivated. To some extent, ITDG/ND has succeed in achieving the objectives of sustainable rural development for improving the standard of living.