The Importance of Farm Trees in Rural Livelihoods in Eastern Galabat Locality, Sudan

The objectives of this study were to: (i) assess the share of farm trees in farmers' total income; (ii) determine and analyze the factors influence the farmers' decision on farm trees planting; and (iii) identify the attitudes and perceptions of farmers towards planting farm trees. A sample of 60 farmers was purposively selected from Galabat locality in 2015 and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis. Farm tree products were found contribute 31% of farmer’s total annual income. Farmer’s land holding in feddan (P= 0.009), farmer's family size (P=0.000), farmer’s income (P=0.042) and extension services from Forests National Corporation (EXT from FNC) (P = 0.001) were found to positively and significantly associated with farmers’ decisions to plant trees on farmlands. The study results also indicate that the farmers have awareness of the benefits associated with trees, and their attitudes towards trees planting are mostly positive. It is concluded that farmer’s decisions to plant farm trees are driven by their socioeconomic circumstances. Thus, it is recommended that the farmers' socioeconomic characteristics should not be overlooked when designing future tree planting programs in the region.Keywords: Trees outside forests, Farm trees, Determinants of tree planting, Environmental awarenes