Results and Lessons From Community Participatory Activities in the Sierra Leone Project
- Port Loko District

Year: 1995 - 1999

Abstract

In order to sustain the CBDC/S.L project activities in Sierra Leone the project moved its activities to Lokomassama Chiefdom of the Port Loko District in 1999. This area is close to Freetown, the capital city and the International Airport at Lungi. Since the rebel war started in 1991, the Lokomassama has remained relatively unaffected compared to regions in the North. Government and international forces heavily protect it, possibly to keep Lungi operational throughout. For this reason farming activities have been proceeding normally in the Chiefdom.

This resulted in the influx of several displaced people from Kambia and the northern parts of Port Loko to the Chiefdom. This greatly affected the food sufficiency drive of the local communities.

CBDC project in Lokomassama was aimed at complementing its activities in Kambia District. The initial thrust to establish the project in the new locality involved the identification of villages and farming communities, selection and training of farmers and NGO workers.. Baseline socio-economic surveys were done to determine the state of biodiversity in the region. Having determined the amount of genetic resources of major crops, the project established field gene banks to maintain resources at community level. Staff also conducted training workshops with farmers in order to share experiences on biodiversity conservation and use. Other activities included the multiplication distribution of large quantities of rice seed for distribution to farmers in both Lokomassama and Kambia. The validation of results of the PVS trials conducted in Magbema, Kambia District in 1998, was done as well, and new PVS activities were started.(CBDC-S.L Project, 1999b).

Farmers' Workshops

Three workshops were held, one in July to discuss issues related to the local cropping systems particularly those related to farmers’ selection of rice varieties; crop diversity; and local methods of crops. It also centred on the need to conserve crop cultivars that were becoming increasingly scarce. Farmers’ experimentation with new rice varieties was also discussed as a method of enhancing genetic diversity.

The farmers were found to have fascinating knowledge about their traditional crop varieties. They classified their varieties as upland and lowland crops, and the number of days from planting to harvest. They can also distinguished varieties on plant height, colour of grain/tuber/leaves, cooking and eating qualities.

The second workshop in September took the form of a field day for touring on-farm trials and PVS sites. The farmers conducted plant evaluation and varietal selection exercises. The second day was used for a discussion based on what they had observed on the farms. The farmers were motivated by the farm tours. In general, they were impressed with the performance of the new rice varieties. They were delighted with the "Rice Garden" and genebanks. They all agreed that CBDC activities directly addressed their needs especially in food production because of the type of new varieties the project was introducing to them

During the third workshop in October farmers expressed their opinions about CBDC activities in their respective villages. They also discussed the results of on-farm trials conducted in 1999. They discussed the improved rice varieties, especially the interspecific hybrids, which were acceptable to the farmers and would like to continue to grow them.

The farmers also appreciated the on-farm genebanks as they ensured the survival of traditional crops as well as facilitated the restoration of cultivars that have been lost in some of the villages.

Multiplication of Rice Seeds by Farmers

When the project re-relocated its activities to Lokomassama chiefdom, it became obvious from the first workshop that farmers were in desperate need of rice seed and other planting materials. To address the problem in the coming season, the project initiated seed multiplication activities. The project identified 50 farmers in the chiefdom, 22 male and 18 females belonging to several farm families. At the peak of the season in August to September when rice was scarce, the project supplied them with one bag each of 50kg imported milled, rice. Each participating farmer was also given a set of field tools as a complementary input support from CAD. During the cropping season and up to harvest, the project staff provided technical advise to farmers for the production of good quality seeds. At harvest each farmer returned to the project a 50kg bag of seed rice.

Germplasm Conservation

Field surveys were conducted to measure diversity of crop cultivars and farmers’ methods of germplasm conservation. Because Lokomassama Chiefdom had remained relatively peaceful throughout the rebel war, it was a source of several major crops like rice, cassava, sweet potatoes, and vegetables. Individual farmers were found to have in their possession germplasm of crops inherited from past generations; seeds brought by displaced farmers and relief seed supplied by NGOs and research institutions.

A farm household surveys/crop inventory involving 180 farmers (90 men and 90 women) was conducted in the four villages to secure information on the total diversity of the different crops, and to obtain sample planting materials to be included in the genebanks.

The survey identified 22 upland and 12 lowland rice varieties. Generally farmers possessed more upland varieties but their spread was very limited. Only six varieties were grown extensively in two villages, which are less than two kilometres apart. The lowland varieties were grown by few farmers and were much more widespread among the villages. Some varieties showed plasticity in adapting to both upland and lowland ecologies e.g. Pa Tedeh. In some cases ROK5, which is a popular lowland variety in West Africa, was also grown in the uplands in Lokomassama

The result from the roots and tubers survey indicated that farmers were aware of the high diversity of these crops in their villages. However, they grew and maintained only a small fraction of these crops at that time. Twenty sweet potato cultivars were identified but only eight were widespread in the study area; the remaining were being maintained by a few farmers in different villages.

The same picture was observed for cassava. Sixteen different cultivars were recorded for the whole study area of which four were universally grown in all the villages and the remaining 12 were found in few villages and some grown by only few households.

Naming of cultivars was based on the place of origin, duration, prominent taxonomical feature or the name of the crop breeder and/or developer that introduced the variety to them.

Okra and pepper were very popular vegetables in the chiefdom. Both crops were sparsely dispersed. However, varieties that carried high market values in peppers and okras were grown widely by the respondents.

The survey showed that the chiefdom carried a large amount of germplasm resources in rice, vegetables like okra, and roots and tubers. However very few farmers cultivated these crops at that time. Constraints in land, labour and other inputs could limit the ability of the farmers to grow several crops at the same time. But most of the respondents pointed to the non-availability of planting materials as the most serious problem. In trying to solve that problem the project established a number of field gene banks for them.

Community Field Gene Banks

Those facilities were established in four villages to multiply some of the popular crop varieties for the farmers. The varieties were planted in each village within areas on average ranging between 140 and 1060m2. The project intends to expand the gene banks concept to farmers in other areas to serve as farmers’ multiplication/demonstration plots.

Local Germplasm Conservation Methods

Information on local germplasm conservation methods was collected during crop inventory survey. A number of standard methods for conservation for each major crop were identified. These formed part of the knowledge base for each crop

Local method of Germplasm Conservation
Crop Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3
Cassava Cuttings (stems) are transferred from upland to IVS in the dry season; and from IVS to upland in the rainy season On the upland farmers dig around standing plant to remove the mature tuberous roots and leave the plants to continue to grow Stems of harvested cassava are tied in small bundles and placed vertically in a shallow hole under a tree until time for planting
Potatoes On the upland, the farmers usually leave some tubers in the ground after harvest in the dry season. In the rainy season, the tubers sprout to provide vines for planting Potato wines are planted in small nurseries near the house and watered regularly in the dry season until time for transplanting to the farm Potato vines are kept in the open bath close to washing places which are always kept moist or in the open. These conditions allow them to get moisture and grow during dry season
Okra The mature fruits are harvested and dried in the sun until the seeds can shake inside. They are then tied to the wall ceiling in kitchen

 The seeds are removed and sun dried thoroughly. The dried seeds are kept in an unsealed bottle or tied in a piece of cloth until ready for planting.  
Pepper Matured fruits are dried in the sun and kept in a basket placed on top of a wall ceiling in the kitchen. Seeds are removed from the dry fruits at planting time. Over ripped fruits are left to rot and seed collected. The seed are sun dried and kept in bottles or a piece of cloth until ready for planting  

 

 
Rice Harvested seeds are dried to acceptable moisture content determined locally. The dried seeds are kept in boxes. Jute bags from imported rice are used. Sometimes, local baskets called korti are also used. The farmers normally add dried pepper fruits to stored seed in-order to guard against weevils


Participatory Field Activities with Farmers

The CBDC-S.L Project collaborated with WARDA in the second year in 1999 to conduct the PVS trials. The goal of the project was to accelerate the development and dissemination of improved rice varieties with high farmer and consumer acceptability through participatory research activities.

That activity was started in Magbema Chiefdom in Kambia District in 1998. At the end of the first year, five varieties most preferred by farmers were identified and multiplied. In 1999, when the CBDC Project moved to Lokomassama, PVS trials were conducted in six villages, Kiegbal, Mahun, Royeima, Petifu, Tawa and Mathan.

The two main activities undertaken were, Farmer Managed Participatory Research (FAMPAR) Trials, and Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS)/ Rice Gerden Trials.

The FAMPAR Trials

In the FAMPAR trials in 1999 five best varieties selected by the farmers in Kambia District in 1998, were included to validate the results obtained at that time. Forty-eight farmers conducted the trials on their individual farms. Each farmer was given 500g of one of the varieties, and the distribution was at random. They were requested to grow it alongside their local variety under their cultural practices and no fertiliser was to be applied. All of the farmers grew ROK 3 as the best local variety.

Questionnaire interviews were conducted to assess the farmers perceptions of agronomic and yield traits of the test varieties as compared to the local variety.

Farmers' preference ranking of test varieties was assessed by a farm-walk organised in September 1999. The activity coincided with crop maturity stage. In each of the four villages, participating farmers visited all the plots in order to judge performance of the varieties. At the end of the walk farmers were asked individually to rank all the test varieties according to their individual preferences. Gender inclinations were also considered in the assessment procedures. 

Farmers’ Preference Ranking of Test Varieties Evaluated in Four Villages
 Varieties Female Male All Farmers
First Choice Second Choice First Choice Second Choice First Choice Second Choice
WAB 450-IBP-160-HB 24 13 17 15 41 28
WAB 450-1-11-P31-HB 12 15 21 18 33 29
WAB 450-IBP-38-HB 6 10 4 8 10 18
WAB 96-1-1 0 0 0 0 0 0
IRAT 144 5 8 2 5 7 13
LOCAL VARIETY 1 2 4 2 5 4

Data on grain yield and other agronomic traits showed good agreement between the measured results and farmers perceptions. Farmers’ preferred varieties including WAB 450-IBP-160-HB and WAB450-1-11-P31-HB.

Varieties Preferred by Farmers Among the Test Varieties
TEST VARIETIES Yield (Kg/ha) Height (cm) Duration (days)
WAB 450-1-11-P31-HB 1467 94 90
WAB 450-IBP-160-HB 1540 100 96
WAB 450-IBP-38-HB 1351 88 91
IRAT 144 940 99 107
WAB-96-1-1 1029 96 92
LOCAL VAIRETY 1203 119 140

Farmers’ perceptions of the test cultivars were assessed by pair-wise comparison methods. The farmers scored performance of the test cultivars in three classes; better than check variety, the same, or worse than the local variety. For grain yield potential, majority of the farmers considered the inter-specific hybrids WAB450-IBP-160-HB and WAB 450-1-11-P31-HB as better than the local variety; and WAB 450-IBP-38-HB being not quite different from the local variety.

As for the growth duration, there was a perfect agreement among all the farmers that test varieties matured earlier (30 to 40 days) as compared to the local varieties.

The data indicated that the five test varieties had higher yield, large panicle sizes and much better duration. Plant height and weed suppression ability in the test varieties was similar to those of the local varieties.

Participatory Variety Selection

The PVS/ Rice Garden trials were conducted in two villages - Mahun and Royeima. The trials were referred to as "Rice Gardens", the place which farmers could visit as frequently as possible to observe the crops and make selections. Those two sites were located at convenient distances for the participating farmers.

Sixteen varieties were included in the rice garden trials. They comprised the top 13 varieties selected in the 1998 PVS trials plus three local checks. There were eight progenies from WARDA’s interspecific crosses of O. glaberrima and O.sativa, seven improved O. sativa, and one local. One hundred and twenty farmers (60 women and 60 men) from six villages participated in the trials.

In order to evaluate the varieties properly, farmers were encouraged to visit the rice-gardens as frequently as possible, to observe the different rice varieties at various growth stages. A formal plant evaluation field day was organised in September, at the maturity stage for most of the varieties. The farmers were invited to conduct varietal selection and plant evaluation exercises at each of the trial sites. Male and female farmers carried out their evaluations separately. Each of the farmers were asked to select the variety(ies) they liked in a ranked order, and to provide reasons for selecting any variety. A maximum of five varieties was allowed but no minimum number of choices was prescribed.

At the Royeima site, farmers selected seven inter-specific hybrids, five sativa varieties and the traditional glaberrima; Dissi Kono. Overall, the inter-specific hybrid WAB-450-11-1-P31-HB was the most preferred variety. Four other varieties including the inter-specific hybrids WAB450-1BP-160HB, WAB450-1BP-38-HB, and two sativas Wab515-B-16-A2-6 and WAB570-10-B-1A2-6 were each preferred by more than 50% of all participants. WAB 450-IBP-160-HB was the females’ most preferred variety. Farmers at the Mahun Site selected nine varieties overall.

The farmers used a number of criteria to select preferred varieties. At the crop maturity stage, the selection criteria centered on some 21 varietal characteristics. Plants with long droopy panicles were the most frequently selected. Large panicle size was a major criterion. Other major selection criteria were short cycle, high yield and tillering ability.

Although there was a significant agreement between men and women on the five most preferred varieties, the two groups however emphasised different varietal traits in their selection criteria. While male farmers concentrated highly on yield parameters, the women farmers gave more attention to grain quality traits.

Plant Characteristics Used By Farmers As Varietal Selection Criteria.
Varietal Traits Royeima Mahun
  Female Male Female Male
AGRONOMIC TRAITS

Tillering Ability
 Many Tillers
Suppress Weeds		  

 
10.95
7.29		  

 
13.71
2.29		  

 
8.73
6.74		  

 
10.95
4.64
plant height
 Medium Plant height
Tall Plant Height
Uniform Plant Height		  
7.29
3.65
-		  
8.57
1.14
2.29		  
5.95
2.38
1.19		  
7.28
4.97
2.98
yield potential
 Large Panicle
Many Grains
Filled Gains
High Yielding		  
11.68
4.38
0.73
10.95		  
13.71
9.14
4.00
12.00		  
14.28
5.95
0.79
7.14		  
16.22
3.64
1.65
12.91
growth cycle
 Short Cycle
Long Cycle
Uniform Maturity		  
9.49
-
1.47		  
9.14
3.43
2.28		  
9.92
0.39		  
12.25
0.99
1.99
MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Awn
Husk Colour		  

5.11
4.37		  

4.00
2.29		  

3.57
3.17		  

4.97
0.99
RESISTANCE/TOLERANCE

Disease Resistance
Lodge Resistance		  

0.73
-		  

0.57
0.57		  

2.78
2.38		  

1.32
1.66
COGNITIVE ASSOCIATION

Resemble Local Variety		  

3.65		  

1.71		  

2.38		  

0.99
GRAIN TYPE

White Grain Colour
Long Grain Size
Small Grain Size
Bold Grain		  

8.76
6.56
1.47
1.47		  

3.43
4.00
-
1.71		  

10.31
5.95
1.59
3.17		  

4.97
2.32
-
2.32

In assessing the varieties, women farmers were observed using their fingers to dehusk the rice grains. They preferred white grain colour to red grain colour because the former could save them time in milling. Also, they perceived long slender grains have very good taste after cooking. Large soft grains were perceived to expand after cooking. Such grains were particularly preferred by those farmers with large numbers of dependants especially children. According to the farmers a quantity of large soft grains can feed more people than an equal quantity of other types of grains.