A market survey has been conducted in North Kordofan State with the main objective
of generating quantitative information on value chain and determines the key
constraints and opportunities for value chain development. The study shed some
light on the supply and demand and the enabling policy for pearl millet value chain
and marketing opportunities in Sudan. The study conducted situation analysis to
identify constraints that limit peal millet production and identify the major actors on
pearl millet value chain and review policies, laws and seed regulations system that
encourages or discourages marketing of pearl millet.
Results showed that the amount of millet produced is locally consumed with no
observed import however some quantities were exported during the period 2006-
2009. Urbanization and change in consumer income are the main reasons
responsible for the slight shift from millet to sorghum and wheat. Results showed that
there is a food shortage in the sense that households are not able to feed their
families through low-yielding subsistence production; and loss of the economic
opportunity that these people would otherwise have to alleviate their poverty by
producing grain for sale, due to poor grain yields, quality and the constrained market
demand for these crops. The majority of the households were found to be vulnerable
since large proportion of their average income is used on food consumption.
Constraints that limit millet production and value addition and have implications on
food security include low productivity; high post-harvest handling losses; limited
processing and utilization; limited marketing; unfavorable policy; limited capacity
building and institutional development; and limited knowledge and information
exchange. Results showed that millet has comparatively shorter marketing channels.
Information provided in this study will contribute to enhancing regional
commercialisation and competitiveness of strategic crops such as millet and
enhancing the participation of value chain actors in local, regional and international
markets. It also facilitate of enactment of enabling trade policies through analysis and
advocacy and awareness creation and contribute to scaling out development,
adoption and use of harmonised product standards and regulations and development
and promotion of use of appropriate models for forecasting inputs and outputs market
trends and promote commodity exchanges and assist in promoting institutions and
farmers’ organizations to make use of collective action and enhance access to
information. The study recommended promotion of seed associations and creation of
encouraging environment for the private sector in seed multiplication and distribution
of improved seeds is needed to enhance the adoption process, develop market
institution capable of making markets work better by improving market coordination
and ensure availability of price information.