Understanding Sorghum Farmer Typology in Sudan: A Data-Driven Lens to Scrutinize Agriculture and Rural Development

This study aimed to develop a comprehensive typology of Sudanese sorghum-farming households within their food security status to inform targeted agricultural policy and rural development strategies. Using survey data from 392 households across 11 Sudanese states, the research captures the structural, socio-economic, and geographical diversity of farming systems and scrutinizes the relationship between socioeconomic characteristics of farmer households and related probability of constituting a specific farmer type. To assert this, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering, and Multinomial logistic regression analysis were applied. Through PCA and hierarchical clustering, three types of farmers were identified: The first type (Vulnerable Farmers), characterized by low education levels, small landholdings, high food insecurity, and reliance on subsistence farming; The second type (Well-off Remote farmers), operating larger landholdings meant for commercial purposes, yet facing challenges related to geographic isolation and limited market access; The third type (Educated Farmers with access to urban areas), consisting of households with higher education, diversified income sources, and proximity to markets, though still experiencing persistent food insecurity. Multinomial logistic regression analysis confirmed that household size, age, education, land size, market distance, and income structure are significant predictors of respective types of farmers. Thus, the study stands as a tool to enlighten intended/future policies, in providing input support and credit for vulnerable farmers, infrastructure and market access for remote commercial farmers, and land tenure security with innovative-geared incentives for farmers interacting with urban areas to foster inclusive, adaptive agricultural policies, and sustainable development across Sudan’s diverse farming communities.