Yam （Dioscorea spp.）, has been aptly described as an orphan crop. It has suffered institutional neglect from time immemorial. Until this study there were no formally released yam varieties in Ghana. The farmer parti...Yam （Dioscorea spp.）, has been aptly described as an orphan crop. It has suffered institutional neglect from time immemorial. Until this study there were no formally released yam varieties in Ghana. The farmer participatory breeding approach was adapted to fast-track the development and release of three new yam varieties in Ghana. This paper uses the breeding process as a case study and conducts a SWOT analysis to provide guidelines for breeding for crops in Low External Input Agriculture. It was faster than conventional breeding in varietal development. Scientific quality of Farmer Participatory Breeding is as good as conventional breeding. Farmer Participatory Breeding is a must for breeding yam in Ghana. Ultimately, three genotypes 2000/001, KUP2000/001 and TDr89/02665 were accepted and released as new varieties ＂CRIKukrupa＂, ＂CRIPona＂ and ＂Mankrong Pona＂ respectively in March 2005. Danger of omission of some promising genotypes in the course of varietal development and danger of opinion group cabalizing the group discussions were identified as potential threats to the approach. Effective research-extension-farmer linkage was identified as extremely vital to the success of the approach. Farmer participatory breeding process was also sustainable and more efficient than conventional breeding in varietal selection in yam breeding.展开更多
Sorghum bicolor is among main staple crops of Chad but it is commonly attacked by Striga hermonthica. Assessment of sorghum varieties for resistance to this weed was carried out during three cropping seasons （2005-2...Sorghum bicolor is among main staple crops of Chad but it is commonly attacked by Striga hermonthica. Assessment of sorghum varieties for resistance to this weed was carried out during three cropping seasons （2005-2008）, in controlled conditions; promising entries （those which fulfilled at least 75% of selection criteria） were evaluated in farmer field in 2008-2009 seasons. There were five sites （Bebedjia, Deli, Bekao, Koudoti and Ndaba）. The objective was to evaluate some sorghum entries for S. hermonthica resistance in farmer field. Sorghum test was composed of four entries in Fisher blocks as experimental designs, with five replications. Among different observed variables, there were striga plant count and weight of sorghum grains. One promising entry was selected at Bebedjia and Ndaba （53）, two at Deli and Koudoti （50 and 53）. No entry was selected at Bekao. Promising entries for the whole Southern zone of Chad were composed of 50 and 53. The best entry was 53 because it was promising in all sites except Bekao.展开更多
Farmers＇ evaluation and analysis of the factors determining the adoption of improved farm technology are essential to elicit what varietals characteristics motivate farmers to adopt or reject improved varieties and t...Farmers＇ evaluation and analysis of the factors determining the adoption of improved farm technology are essential to elicit what varietals characteristics motivate farmers to adopt or reject improved varieties and the technology. The main objective of the study was to elicit farmers＇ criteria for selecting rice varieties and the factors determining adoption of NERICA varieties in the study areas. The data used for this study were collected from 600 farmers in Ekiti, Kaduna, Nassarawa, Ogun, Ondo, and Taraba States of Nigeria through farming household survey conducted from August to September 2009. The main instruments for data collection were well-structured questionnaires administered in each state. This study utilized descriptive statistics, such as means, frequency and percentages; and Tobit regression model were used to analyze the data collected. The results revealed that field days attendance was very low in the study areas and was similar across states; and this may limit their participation in exchange of ideas and in sharing of knowledge and experience of improved technology. The small farm size and subsequently low output could adversely affect rice production in the country and thus prevent the country from attaining self-sufficiency in rice production. Farmers grow an assortment of both local and improved rice varieties and the most important criteria across the states were high yield, tillering and logging resistance. There was progressive increase in the proportion of land given to NERICA rice cultivation since 2004. This suggests that there is increase in the adoption rate of NERICA varieties across states. Level of formal education, farm size, access to credit, rice income, farm income and level of awareness of NERICA varieties positively and significantly determined NERICA rice adoption. Base on these, we recommend that government should aim at policies geared towards providing incentives to encourage all stakeholders to improve productivity in rice production. Incentives, such as provision of micro credit and implementation of subsidy on inputs like fertilizer and seed, would go a long way in boosting rice production in the study area.展开更多
文摘Yam （Dioscorea spp.）, has been aptly described as an orphan crop. It has suffered institutional neglect from time immemorial. Until this study there were no formally released yam varieties in Ghana. The farmer participatory breeding approach was adapted to fast-track the development and release of three new yam varieties in Ghana. This paper uses the breeding process as a case study and conducts a SWOT analysis to provide guidelines for breeding for crops in Low External Input Agriculture. It was faster than conventional breeding in varietal development. Scientific quality of Farmer Participatory Breeding is as good as conventional breeding. Farmer Participatory Breeding is a must for breeding yam in Ghana. Ultimately, three genotypes 2000/001, KUP2000/001 and TDr89/02665 were accepted and released as new varieties ＂CRIKukrupa＂, ＂CRIPona＂ and ＂Mankrong Pona＂ respectively in March 2005. Danger of omission of some promising genotypes in the course of varietal development and danger of opinion group cabalizing the group discussions were identified as potential threats to the approach. Effective research-extension-farmer linkage was identified as extremely vital to the success of the approach. Farmer participatory breeding process was also sustainable and more efficient than conventional breeding in varietal selection in yam breeding.
文摘Sorghum bicolor is among main staple crops of Chad but it is commonly attacked by Striga hermonthica. Assessment of sorghum varieties for resistance to this weed was carried out during three cropping seasons （2005-2008）, in controlled conditions; promising entries （those which fulfilled at least 75% of selection criteria） were evaluated in farmer field in 2008-2009 seasons. There were five sites （Bebedjia, Deli, Bekao, Koudoti and Ndaba）. The objective was to evaluate some sorghum entries for S. hermonthica resistance in farmer field. Sorghum test was composed of four entries in Fisher blocks as experimental designs, with five replications. Among different observed variables, there were striga plant count and weight of sorghum grains. One promising entry was selected at Bebedjia and Ndaba （53）, two at Deli and Koudoti （50 and 53）. No entry was selected at Bekao. Promising entries for the whole Southern zone of Chad were composed of 50 and 53. The best entry was 53 because it was promising in all sites except Bekao.
文摘Farmers＇ evaluation and analysis of the factors determining the adoption of improved farm technology are essential to elicit what varietals characteristics motivate farmers to adopt or reject improved varieties and the technology. The main objective of the study was to elicit farmers＇ criteria for selecting rice varieties and the factors determining adoption of NERICA varieties in the study areas. The data used for this study were collected from 600 farmers in Ekiti, Kaduna, Nassarawa, Ogun, Ondo, and Taraba States of Nigeria through farming household survey conducted from August to September 2009. The main instruments for data collection were well-structured questionnaires administered in each state. This study utilized descriptive statistics, such as means, frequency and percentages; and Tobit regression model were used to analyze the data collected. The results revealed that field days attendance was very low in the study areas and was similar across states; and this may limit their participation in exchange of ideas and in sharing of knowledge and experience of improved technology. The small farm size and subsequently low output could adversely affect rice production in the country and thus prevent the country from attaining self-sufficiency in rice production. Farmers grow an assortment of both local and improved rice varieties and the most important criteria across the states were high yield, tillering and logging resistance. There was progressive increase in the proportion of land given to NERICA rice cultivation since 2004. This suggests that there is increase in the adoption rate of NERICA varieties across states. Level of formal education, farm size, access to credit, rice income, farm income and level of awareness of NERICA varieties positively and significantly determined NERICA rice adoption. Base on these, we recommend that government should aim at policies geared towards providing incentives to encourage all stakeholders to improve productivity in rice production. Incentives, such as provision of micro credit and implementation of subsidy on inputs like fertilizer and seed, would go a long way in boosting rice production in the study area.
