Improving participatory varietal selection processes: participatory varietal selection and the role of informal seed diffusion mechanisms for upland rice in Ghana

Abstract

This paper considers the process of Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS) and presents approaches and ideas based on PVS activities conducted on upland rice throughout Ghana between 1997 and 2003. In particular the role of informal seed systems in PVS is investigated and implications for PVS design are identiWed. PVS programmes were conducted in two main agroecological zones, Forest and Savannah, with 1,578 and 1,143 mm of annual rainfall, respectively, and between 40 and 100 varieties tested at each site. In the Savannah zone IR12979-24-1 was oYcially released and in the Forest zone IDSA 85 was widely accepted by farmers. Two surveys were conducted in an area of the Forest zone to study mechanisms of spread. Here small amounts (1-2 kg) of seed of selected varieties had been given to 94 farmers. In 2002, 37% of 2,289 farmers in communities surveyed had already grown a PVS variety and had obtained seed via informal mechanisms from other farmers, i.e. through gift, exchange or purchase. A modiWed approach for PVS is presented which enables important issues identiWed in the paper to be accommodated. These issues include: utilising existing seed spread mechanisms; facilitating formal release of acceptable varieties; assessing post-harvest traits, and; the need for PVS to be an ongoing and sustainable process.

Farmers’ rice knowledge and adoption of new cultivars in the Tillabéry region of western Niger

“…The PVS process should be improved and if doubts persist, a pilot-scale distribution of the selected cultivar could be introduced in the system. The farmers' informal seed system will then disseminate or reject it, as was successfully used with upland rice in Ghana [22].…”

Farmers’ Perceptions of Finger Millet Production Constraints, Varietal Preferences and Their Implications to Finger Millet Breeding in Uganda

“…Participatory crop improvement involves farmers directly in the process of variety improvement and testing at an earlier stage than in conventional breeding process. It is designed to better incorporate perspectives of end users than formal plant breeding, reach resource poor farmers, breed for high-stress and diverse conditions and incorporate wide variation in traits for specific farmer preferences (Dorward, Craufurd, Marfo, Dogbe, & Bam, 2007).…”

Social seed networks: Identifying central farmers for equitable seed access

“…Supplying openpollinated seeds is essential for farmers to maintain locally adapted varieties that can better adapt to climatic shocks, require fewer inputs, and can be saved year-to-year (Almekinders and Elings, 2001). However, disseminating quality PPB seed to the most resource-poor farmers has been a recognized challenge for many of these initiatives (Ceccarelli and Grando, 2007;Dorward et al, 2007). Introduced varieties often have minimal adoption rates because of low farmer-to-farmer exchange (Dogbe et al, 2002;Ceccarelli and Grando, 2007).…”