Discrepancies in Broad Bean Productivities between Traditional Farms and Research Experiments

Abstract

The main objective of this survey was to estimate the yield variation between research experiments and traditional farm of broad bean production in the River Nile State (RNS). The specific objectives were: to investigate the production capability of the traditional farmers in this area; to make comparison of productivities between research and traditional farmer; to investigate the potentiality of crop production in the River Nile State; and to evaluate the financial challenges facing the traditional farmers. Data was collected from the traditional farmers using structured survey questionnaires with specific sample size put into considered all variations among the traditional farmers. The analysis was based on a descriptive analysis, farm partial budget and benefit-cost ratio analysis. The analysis has concluded into significant yield gap between research experiments and the traditional farmers reached up to about 50% extra for the research sites. However; the traditional farmers were still economically efficient to some extent in producing broad been in the area. The study has recommended that: the government of the RNS has been advised to establish savings programs by encouraging farmers to participate with part of the expenses; also an advisement to encourage research and extension services in supporting farmers; the cropping patterns has to be diversified with focusing on broad bean cultivation; and the yield variation could be bridged by applying appropriate Recommended Technical Package (RTP))