Socio-Economic factors affecting Sheep Value Chain Actors in Sudan

Abstract

This study was conducted in Elkhwei, Elnhud localities in west Kordofan state, and Omdurman locality in Khartoum state with the aim of studying socioeconomic factors of age, marital status affecting the value chain actors of sheep in Sudan. The study targeted 
300 respondents` sample size stratified randomly as producers, wholesalers, retailers, and processers to collect field data using questionnaires, group discussions, and interviews. The acquired data were analyzed to determine how socioeconomic factors affect the value change actors involved in sheep breeding and marketing. For the targeted socioeconomic factors of age, marital status, and education it was found that the majority of the producers and retailers tend to be younger as breeding and transporting sheep to markets requires toughness and agility of youth. The analysis showed value chain actors in case of marital status the majority of retailers are single and that can be attributed to their low income compared to other actors. On the other hand, the majority of producers, exporters, and processors are married. Also, it was found that most of the producers were less educated compared to the other actors. Graduates were dominant among retailers and wholesalers, but none of the processors attained graduate level.