Adoption Levels of Certain Tomato Cultivation Practices by Farmer Field Schools in Sudan

This study assessed the effect of Integrated Pest Management/Farmer Field Schools (IPM/FFS) extension approach on adoption of some tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cultivation practices in Gezira Scheme, Sudan. A stratified random sampling technique was used to collect data from 100 tomato growers (50 FFS participants and 50 non-FFS participants), through personal interviews using a structured questionnaire. The data were statistically analyzed and interpreted using frequency distribution, percentage and Chi-square test. The study found that adoption rates for the use of improved tomato seed variety, sowing date and method, urea application, were higher among the FFS participants compared to the non-FFS participants (20%, 90% and 50%) compared to 12%, 76% and 36%, respectively. The result showed lower adoption rate (50%) in FFS participants for intercropping with companion plant compared to non-FFS participants (64%). Chi-square test showed that there was significant difference between FFS participants and non-FFS participant farmers in adoption of recommended sowing date and method, and intercropping at 95% confidence level, 0.05 margin of error. There was no significant difference in adoption of urea application and use of recommended seed variety. This demonstrated that adoption of these two cultivation practices for tomato in the study significantly depended on FFS approach. To improve adoption rates of IPM innovations, the study recommends that FFS in the Gezira Scheme should be revitalized and later introduced in the other states in the country, with extensive and effective system of FFS trainings and follow-up.