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This study was conducted in Abu Hujar and Dali and Mazmum localities of Sennar state, Sudan, where seasonal commercial and subsistence rain fed farming is widely practiced, mainly for production of dura (sorghum), millet and sesame. A main objective was to identify the principle factors that affect access to agricultural services and the impact of these factors on farm production and income. A second main objective was to compare male and female farmers in terms of variables constituting a hypothesized path model of factors affecting production and income. Data for the study were collected during the 2008 agricultural season. A stratified random sampling procedure was employed to select a sample composed of 60 male farmers and 60 women engaged in farming activities, for comparative analysis. Primary data were collected through use of structured interview schedules, and secondary data were obtained from relevant sources. Data analysis involved use of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Data analysis revealed that the farmers were heterogeneous in terms of educational level. There were significant differences between female and male farmers in terms of number of years of schooling completed. Illiteracy was found to be more prevalent among females. That had a negative effect on access to services and community participation among women. Male farmers have better opportunities to access extension and financial services, although their participation in agricultural cooperatives and other community-based organizations was found to be modest. Path analysis revealed the magnitude of direct, indirect and total effects on area under crops and gross farm income from the causally prior variables in the hypothesized causal model. Gross farm income was found to be affected principally by farmland size and area under crops, education and access to credit. The effects on farm income from access to extension and adoption of recommended practices were found to be indirect. The principal significant predictors of area under crops were found to be farmland size, access to credit and education. Access to credit was found to be dependent on farmland size, adoption of the recommended crop production packages and education. Farmland size was found to be significantly associated with years of education, a finding which indicates that the relatively more educated male farmers possess larger farming units. Access to extension services was found to be significantly associated with farmland size and education. The adoption of recommended crop production package was found to be principally dependent on access to extension services, farmland size and education. This finding suggests that larger farmers have more access to agriculture production resources and services in Sennar State. On the basis of the study findings, a set of recommendations for achieving equitable access to agricultural production resources and services by male and female farmers was put forward.
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