Profile15
Contents
- 1 Participatory Variety Analysis
- 1.1 Applications (why, when & where)
- 1.2 Brief description
- 1.3
- 1.4 Where in the project cycle is this useful?
- 1.5 Spatial scale
- 1.6
- 1.7 Extractive/non-extractive
- 1.8 Complexity
- 1.9 Outcomes
- 1.10 Strengths
- 1.11 Drawbacks
- 1.12 Issues
- 1.13 Resources
- 1.14 Origins and history
- 1.15 Conditions for use and dissemination
- 1.16 Contacts
- 1.17 Learn more about this topic
Participatory Variety Analysis
Applications (why, when & where)
Participatory variety analysis is an approach to provide choices of varieties to farmers for increasing production within the constraints of their socioeconomic and agro-ecological condition. It is also a selection process for testing released or promising genotypes in farmers’ field. Participatory variety analysis includes research and extension methods to deploy genetic materials at on- farm experiment. A variety developed through participatory variety selection is more likely to meet the demands of different stakeholders (Source: [[1]]).
Brief description
Participatory variety analysis comprises three steps to identify a preferred variety:
- Situation analysis and identification of farmers’ needs
- Search for genetic materials to test under farmers’ conditions
- Experimentation of on-farm research and dissemination of preferred varieties
Where in the project cycle is this useful?
Spatial scale
Farmer only
Extractive/non-extractive
- In theory: 100% empowering
- In practice: 50-50 if misused
Complexity
Outcomes
Strengths
- Clear identification of the bottlenecks and an honest appraisal of the problem.
- Provides to farmers a large number of varietal choices on their own resources.
- Enhances farmer access to crop varieties and increase in diversity.
- Increases production and ensures food security.
- Helps to disseminate the adoption of pre- and released varieties in larger areas.
- Allows for varietal selection in targeted areas in a cost-effective and timely manner.
- Helps community based seed production.
Drawbacks
- Limited overall impact; only 3-4% of farmers adopted new varieties
- Bottlenecks: wrong attitude of breeders; cost & resources
Issues
Institutional constraints
Resources
Time:
Human resources:
Costing:
Origins and history
Conditions for use and dissemination
None.
Contacts
| Steffen Schulz International Potato Center [s.schulz@cgiar.org] |
Learn more about this topic
References
Coe, R. 2007. Analysing Data from Participatory On-farm Trials. The African Statistical Journal, Volume 4, May. Accessed 23 December, 2013 at [[2]]
Ellis-Jones, J., Mekonnen, K., Gebreselassie, S. and Schulz, S. 2013. Participatory Community Analysis: Challenges and Opportunities identified with Local Communities. Africa- RISING: Intensification of Farming Systems in the Highlands of Ethiopia. CIP-ILRI report. Accessed 23 December, 2013 at [[3]]
K. K. Nkongolo, K. K., Chinthu, K. K. L., Malusi, M. and Vokhiwa, Z. 2008. Participatory variety selection and characterization of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) elite accessions from Malawian gene pool using farmer and breeder knowledge. African Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol. 3 (4), pp. 273-283, April. Accessed 23 December, 2013 at [[4]]
