Citizen science informs demand-driven breeding of opportunity crops

Abstract

CONTEXTOpportunity crops, also known as neglected and underutilized species (NUS), offer benefits to diversify food systems with nutritious and climate-resilient foods. A major limitation to incorporate these crops in farming systems is the lack of improved varieties impedes farmers accessing quality planting material of these crops.OBJECTIVESThe study explored how citizen science methods can support demand-driven breeding and seed production of opportunity crops using leafy amaranth – a nutritious and hardy vegetable- as a case study. The study identified farmer preferences and market segments, with particular attention to gender and social differentiation.METHODSWe used the tricot approach to conduct participatory on-farm trials of 14 varieties with 2,063 farmers from Benin, Mali, and Tanzania. We then analyzed farmer trait and varietal preferences in aggregate and among segments of farmers, generated using cluster analysis.RESULTSFarmers’ overall preferences for amaranth varieties was driven principally by plant survival, yield, leaf size, taste, and marketability. Distinct farmer segments (older women generalists, young women specialists, older men generalists, and young men specialists) preferred different varieties depending on gender, business-orientation.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONThe farmer segments identified here, along with their unique variety preferences provide valuable information for breeders and seed enterprises, and support demand-driven amaranth breeding and seed system development. We specifically noted the need for breeding programs to understand the preferences of young amaranth specialists, both men and women, and to explore organoleptic and market-related properties of amaranth.SIGNIFICANCEOur findings on differentiated producer preferences will support scaling seed supply of amaranth in Africa to diversify farming systems with a climate-resilient and nutritious crop. The methods used and lessons learned from our citizen science exercise can be applied to enhance breeding and seed supply of other opportunity crops that are underutilized in Africa or other continents.HighlightsFarmer citizen science methods reveal seed market insights for opportunity cropsAmaranth variety preferences vary widely across gender, age, and countriesYoung amaranth producers focus on market and sensory traits compared to old producersLarge-scale farmer feedback guides opportunity crop breeding for diverse segments