Identification of Farmer Priorities in Potato Production Through Participatory Variety Selection

Abstract

A substantial number of farmers in northwest Ethiopia grow potato in the dry season (BBelmehr^, March to August) when rainfall is not dependable for the growth of the crop, resulting in lower yield. Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institutes have tried to change the situation by releasing new late blight tolerant varieties that potentially could allow for production of the crop in the rainy season (BMeher^, May to October). Despite these efforts, the majority of the farmers still grow potato in the Belmehr season using older, local varieties. Cognizant of this fact, this study aimed to characterize the major potato production problems in the two seasons, to identify the traits that farmers consider most important when selecting potato varieties, and to assess the performance of widely grown local as well as newly developed varieties. The study was conducted at sites representing two major agroecological zones in northwest Ethiopia and during both production seasons using 12 varieties (9 local and 3 new) with a 'participatory variety selection' approach. During the Belmehr season, erratic rainfall resulted in low yield and lower average tuber weight. By contrast, in the Meher season, late blight, desiccating wind and severe precipitation, including hail, limited production. These factors were important in both agroecological zones, with varying degrees of importance. Twenty-three traits were found to influence the varieties that farmers selected, with the degree of importance of each trait differing between agroecological zones and gender groups. Some local varieties yielded as well as new varieties in both seasons. Overall, we found participatory variety selection to be an effective approach for identifying factors important for the adoption of potato varieties, including factors that may not be addressed in conventional potato breeding programs.Resumen Un número substancial de agricultores en el noroeste de Etiopía cultivan papa en la época seca (BBelmehr^, marzo a agosto) cuando no se depende de la lluvia para el crecimiento del cultivo, lo que resulta en rendimiento más bajo. Los Institutos de Investigación Agrícola de Etiopía han intentado cambiar la situación mediante la liberación de nuevas variedades tolerantes al tizón tardío que pudieran permitir potencialmente la producción del cultivo en la época de lluvias (BMeher^, mayo a octubre). A pesar de estos esfuerzos, la mayoría de los agricultores aún cultivan papa en la temporada Belmehr usando variedades más viejas, locales. En conocimiento de este hecho, este estudio tuvo como propósito la caracterización de los principales problemas en la producción de papa en las dos épocas, para identificar los rasgos que los productores consideren como los más importantes cuando estén seleccionando variedades de papa, y analizar el comportamiento de variedades locales ampliamente cultivadas, así como las recientemente desarrolladas. Se condujo el estudio en sitios que representaran dos zonas agroecológicas mayores en el noroeste de Etiopía y durante ambas te...

Participatory Variety Selection: A Tool to Understand Farmers′ Potato Variety Selection Criteria

“…In addition, our agronomic data showed that a twelfth trait, early maturity, is an important trait for meher season production. (Kolech et al 2015b). Six traits (drought tolerance, late blight resistance, high yield, long shelf life, suitability for boiling, and suitability for stew) were considered "very important" by most farmers in both agroecologies.…”

“…Tuber size is related to high yield and good marketability. Although early maturity (and correlated early flowering) are important traits for breeders seeking to develop new varieties for Meher season production, close to 40% of the farmers did not consider the traits "very important" because they can adjust the varieties they grow each year depending on when the rain starts (Kolech et al 2015b). When there is early rainfall in the growing season, they plant late maturing varieties and vice versa.…”

“…Among the abiotic and biotic stress tolerance traits, drought tolerance, adaptation to low soil Kolech et al 2015b. fertility, and resistance to bird damage varied significantly among agroecological zones. Drought is more severe at Laigaint (sub-moist agroecology) than at Yilmana (moist agroecology) and unsurprisingly drought tolerance was more important at Laigaint.…”

“…Thus, most potato farmers in the major potato growing areas, and especially those who grow potatoes outside of the Meher season, depend on older 'local varieties' (Labarta et al 2011;Emana and Nigussie 2011;Abebe et al 2013;Kolech et al 2015a). Farmers prefer to grow local varieties over new ones because they have better quality attributes and are better suited to existing management practices (Abebe et al 2013;Kolech et al 2015b). Local varieties are grown mainly in the dry seasons (Belg, Belmehr and Mesino), except in Shashemene and surrounding areas, where they are grown in Meher and Belg seasons.…”

“…Local varieties are grown mainly in the dry seasons (Belg, Belmehr and Mesino), except in Shashemene and surrounding areas, where they are grown in Meher and Belg seasons. A description of each potato growing season can be found in Kolech et al 2015b.…”