Examining disadoption of gum arabic production in Sudan

Abstract

Gum arabic production in Sudan has developed over the years in a well-established traditional bush-fallow system in which the gum tree (Acacia senegal) is rotated with annual crops. Following the Sahel drought, the gum area has suffered from deforestation and gum production has declined. Several programs have been developed to stimulate gum production; however, many original adopters have disadopted gum production and the bush-fallow system. In this paper we apply a logit model to study the decision-making behavior of farmers in west Sudan and to identify the socioeconomic factors influencing disadoption of gum production and gum agroforestry system. Variables that measure farmer's wealth were found significant in explaining the disadoption behavior. Off-farm work was also found to positively influence the disadoption decision. Results show that a higher level of income from annual crops decreases the probability of disadoption, which suggests that annual crops and gum production do not compete but rather complement each other within the farm household economy. Therefore, policy measures aiming to boost the production of annual crops in the region might reduce seasonal labor migration and accordingly stimulate gum production.

Production de semences améliorées d'<em>Acacia senegal</em>

“…Une étude menée par Rahim et al (2008) au Soudan a permis d'établir que le principal facteur de désaffection des producteurs pour la gomme arabique résidait dans la faiblesse du revenu généré par cette activité. Toutefois, les avis restent partagés sur ses causes profondes, certains évoquant les prix peu incitatifs proposés aux producteurs, d'autres mettant en avant un déclin de la production (Elmqvist et al, 2005).…”