Modernity And Adoption Of Farm Innovations: The Case Of Agricultural Modernisation In Torit District Southern Sudan

Abstract

This study examines association between modernity and adoption of' farm innovations in Torit District, Southern Sudan, especially as the Regional Government sought to transform the agricultural sector through the modernisation approach. It is guided by a theoretical perspective purporting that modernity, at both community and farm levels, is associated with adoption of' agricultural innovations. Adoption scores were recorded for five different categories of agricultural innovations viz. improved farming practices, cash cropping, mechanisation, high yielding seed varieties and biological inputs in two locations with contrasting ethno-economic characteristics. Adoption indices were cross-tabulated with farmers' personal modernity attributes to explore any associations. The data showed that the hypothesis on modernity and adoption is too general. Th.e two locations , despite their different ethno-economic characteristics, do not manilest a significant variation in adoption of Agricultural innovations. On the other hand socio-economic differences within each location, are significantly related to adoption, but again only for some, categories of agricultural innovations like mechanisation and purchased inputs but not for others ; The major conclusion of the study is, therefore, that the theory and models as presented in the literature review f are not equally applicable to all categories of farmers and all kinds of agricultural innovationsThis suggests the need for alternative development strategies for various groups of farmers. The issue of equality also arises, in that, policy makers may have to assess various categories of agricultural innovations:in terms of the proportions of resources they claim and the proportion of farmers they benefit.