Participatory Plant Breeding Is Better Described as Highly Client-Oriented Plant Breeding. I. Four Indicators of Client-Orientation in Plant Breeding

Abstract

In this paper we attempt to remove the dichotomy created by distinguishing between participatory and non-participatory breeding programmes by using the degree of client orientation as the basis for an analysis. Although all breeding programmes are implicitly client-oriented, we examine how participatory approaches explicitly increase the extent of client orientation. We briefly review the history of participatory plant breeding (PPB) and analyse the participatory techniques used at different stages of the breeding programme. In common with several other authors, we find that farmer involvement in selecting in the segregating generations may not be an essential component of PPB. However, in some circumstances such collaboration is required and is the subject of a second paper in this series. The purpose of all the techniques used in PPB programmes is to better meet the needs of clients. Thus, breeding programmes can be differentiated by their extent of client-orientation removing the dichotomy involved with the term participatory. We discuss four techniques in the suite of techniques that have been employed by PPB: identifying the target market or clients; using germplasm that can best meet the needs of target clients; matching the environments of the target clients; and product testing in the target market with target clients. Most attention is paid to the last of these four that is often referred to as participatory varietal selection (PVS) and how it is done varies with circumstances. Rice varieties from a client-oriented breeding programme in Nepal were tested in mother and baby trials in Bangladesh. The rapid acceptance of these varieties by farmers illustrates the power of the participatory trials system and the success of a highly client-oriented breeding approach.

Addressing the yield gap in rainfed crops: a review

“…In addition to carrying out the varietal evaluation process under their own conditions, it is possible for farmers to be directly involved in the varietal improvement process itself for specified regions, through such methodologies as participatory plant breeding, also known as client-oriented breeding (Witcombe et al 2005). Farmer involvement in parental selection and progeny selection and evaluation (via Participatory Varietal Selection) ensures a better match of breeding outcomes to the target production environment and farmer requirements.…”

“…A client-oriented breeding approach is considered necessary for heterogeneous environments, such as rainfed environments, where spatial and temporal yield variability is the norm (Witcombe et al 2005). A centralised breeding approach is better suited to more homogeneous target environments, such as irrigated environments.…”

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MORPFOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ONE-YEAR OLD SEEDLINGS OF COMMERCIAL MEDLAR CULTIVARS (Mespilus germanica L.) IN THE REGION OF NORTH MONTENEGRO

“…Drought stress is highly variable in its timing, duration and severity, and this result in high environmental variation and G×E variation (Witcombe et al 2005).…”

Agricultural Sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Climate Change—Challenges and Opportunities

“…After the inventory and identification of local genotypes, the next step should be linking the selection process with the other stakeholders by employing participatory techniques in order to improve the effectiveness and impact of agricultural research. Having farmers and other stakeholders involved in the development of varieties through participatory plant breeding [62,63] may lead quick and cost-effective production of new breeds and varieties of crops adapted to local needs.…”