SOCIO-ECONOMIC ROLE OF Acacia senegal GARDENS TO SMALL-SCALE OF GUM ARABIC PRODUCERS IN ENNUHUD LOCALITY, WEST KORDOFAN, SUDAN

The study was carried out during 2017 – 2018 in Ennuhud Locality, West Kordofan Sudan to assess socio-economic profile and silvicultural practices of small-scale gum Arabic producers. Questionnaires were distributed randomly to 186 respondents in 10 villages (out of 100 villages) and associated with personal interviews and key informant methods. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The results revealed that the majority of the respondents (68.3%) were farmers and gum producers who applied traditional silvicultural practices. The yield of gum Arabic was estimated by 37% and 43.9% of respondents as 1.3 - 1.7 kg/tree and 2.2 kg/tree, respectively. The study revealed that production of gum contributed to the producers' income by less than 5,000SDG and 5,000 – 10,000SDG as 47.3% and 46.2%, respectively as mentioned by responds more (62.9%) of them mentioned that the expenses of gum tapping were 3,500 SDG/8.03ha. Pests was mentioned as main factor (42.5%) affecting gum Arabic production. A significant positive correlation (R = 0.532) between gum production area and total garden area was observed, while a negative correlation (R = - 0.011) was found between costs of collection and average gum production (P= 0.01). In addition, majority (96.8%)f the respondents used their financial returns for the rehabilitation. With regard to the registration of Gum Arabic Producers Association, about 60.2% of the respondents completed the registration process. The study recommended the practice of private plantation rehabilitation process using high-yielding varieties, high advanced tapping tools and capacity building, which is considered as most developed opportunity to local communities in semi-arid areas.