Participatory Crop Improvement of Nepalese Fingermillet Cultivars

A field study was undertaken on Nepalese fingermillet genotypes with the participation of the local community at pipaltar of nuwakot district during 2003 and 2004. The study included a) identification of superior fingermillet cultivars through diversity block management and mother set trial, b) seed Production of promising lines, c) farmers' field verification trial (diamond trial) And d) characterization and documentation of fingermillet genotypes. Results Revealed that mudke, chaure and jalbire are high yielding promising genotypes Suited to that area. From household surveys carried out among 46 samples (40%), 80 hh have revealed that mudke, chaure and seto kodo are preferred fingermillet cultivars. About 70% grow mudke, 46% grow chaure while 2% Grow Seto Kodo. The programme has successfully explored the potential of Local fingermillet cultivars by there evaluation and utilized them through Value added product development and market promotion. Nepal Agric. Res. J. Vol. 9, 2009, pp. 12-16 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v9i0.11636

Farmer Participatory Crop Improvement. II. Participatory Varietal Selection, a Case Study in India

SUMMARYFarmer participatory varietal selection (PVS) was used to identify farmer-acceptable cultivars of rice and chickpea. Farmers' requirements in new crop cultivars (varieties) were determined, a search was carried out for released and non-released cultivars that matched these needs, and they were tested in farmer-managed, participatory trials. Farmer-acceptable cultivars were found amongst released material, but not among the recommended material for the area. Lack of adoption is, therefore, because resource-poor farmers have not been recommended or exposed to the most appropriate cultivars under the existing system of varietal identification and popularization. Adoption rates of cultivars would be improved by increased farmer participation, the systematic testing in zonal trials of locally popular cultivars to define their domains properly, a more liberal release system, and a more open system of providing seeds of new cultivars to farmers.

Farmer Participatory Crop Improvement. III. Participatory Plant Breeding, a Case Study for Rice in Nepal

SUMMARYA participatory plant breeding (PPB) programme was conducted for the high altitude areas of Nepal. The aim was to breed acceptable varieties with minimum use of resources and to utilize farmers' knowledge in the PPB programme. Farmer participation began at the F5 stage and progress was followed over two seasons in two villages. Farmers proved to be willing participants and made selections in the segregating material, often with great success. Large differences in farmers' preferences between the F5 bulks were found and the most preferred were adopted rapidly. The most adopted variety, Machhapuchhre-3, performed well in the formal trials system, and much better than the products from conventional centralized breeding. The PPB programme increased biodiversity in the two participating villages.

Farmer Participatory Crop Improvement. II. Participatory Varietal Selection, a Case Study in India

SUMMARYFarmer participatory varietal selection (PVS) was used to identify farmer-acceptable cultivars of rice and chickpea. Farmers' requirements in new crop cultivars (varieties) were determined, a search was carried out for released and non-released cultivars that matched these needs, and they were tested in farmer-managed, participatory trials. Farmer-acceptable cultivars were found amongst released material, but not among the recommended material for the area. Lack of adoption is, therefore, because resource-poor farmers have not been recommended or exposed to the most appropriate cultivars under the existing system of varietal identification and popularization. Adoption rates of cultivars would be improved by increased farmer participation, the systematic testing in zonal trials of locally popular cultivars to define their domains properly, a more liberal release system, and a more open system of providing seeds of new cultivars to farmers.

Farmer Participatory Crop Improvement. III. Participatory Plant Breeding, a Case Study for Rice in Nepal

SUMMARYA participatory plant breeding (PPB) programme was conducted for the high altitude areas of Nepal. The aim was to breed acceptable varieties with minimum use of resources and to utilize farmers' knowledge in the PPB programme. Farmer participation began at the F5 stage and progress was followed over two seasons in two villages. Farmers proved to be willing participants and made selections in the segregating material, often with great success. Large differences in farmers' preferences between the F5 bulks were found and the most preferred were adopted rapidly. The most adopted variety, Machhapuchhre-3, performed well in the formal trials system, and much better than the products from conventional centralized breeding. The PPB programme increased biodiversity in the two participating villages.