On-Farm Participatory Crop Variety Evaluation And Promotion Activities In Tsholotsho, UMP And Chiredzi Districts

Community Technology Development Trust (CTDT), Zimbabwe

Year: 1997

Introduction

Farmers from time immoral have been practicing sustainable on-farm biodiversity conservation, management and utilisation. Such farming systems ensured sustainability of food security  by preserving germplasm and habitats that generate new germplasm adaptive to the socio-cultural, environmental and economic requirements of the communities.

Despite the importance of small grain as a staple food of the inhabitants of the marginal areas, yields of sorghum and millet are limited by several factors such as lack of improved cultivars, unsatisfactory crop production practices, drought, pests, and diseases Clinton, 1985).

The table below indicates the levels of small grains production during the 1994 and 1995 crop seasons in Zimbabwe:

Number of Holdings, Area Planted, Crop Reaped and Yield per Hectare of Small Grains for 1994 and 1995

KIND OF CROP 1994 1995
Holding count
Area planted (ha)
Crop reaped (tonnes)
Yield (kg/ha)		  
227 320
147 701
28 285
191		  
167 107
99 425
20 622
207
Holding count
Area planted (ha)
Crop reaped (tonnes)
Yield (kg/ha)		  
227 684
28832 3
39 204
136		  
208 486
208 359
19 264
92
Holding count
Area planted (ha)
Crop reaped (tonnes)
Yield (kg/ha)		  
196 561
44 928
13 478
300		  
125 215
27 215
9 606
353
Source: CSO, 1997

The yield levels are generally very low, (less than a tonne per hectare) and this is mainly due to erratic rainfall and poor seed quality. Other factors are the decline of holdings and land committed to small grains as small holder farmers are concentrating on cash crops (cotton, maize, sunflower, and castor beans) at the expense of food crops. These undermine the ability of farmers in these regions to be food self-sufficient.

Incorporation and improvement of local knowledge, farming systems would significantly contribute to food security and self-sufficiency. To alleviate some of the on-farm constraints, there is need for a co-ordinated research on on-farm crop improvement and local agro-biodiversity management programme at national level.

The specific objectives were as follows:
  1. Capacity building related to community based (on-farm) plant genetic resources management.
  2. Participatory approach in crop improvement.
  3. Exchange of information, technology and knowledge between farmers.

Methodology

Background to Study Area

(Agro-ecological Regions)
 There are four major sub-divisions and land use patterns in Zimbabwe which are constituted by Communal, Resettlement, Small Scale Commercial Farming and Large Scale Commercial Farming Land Sectors. The four sectors are characterised by different land sizes within and between the four agricultural production sectors, the resultant economies of scale and the current legislative framework.

Community Structure
Village and Ward Development Committees were created in 1984. The procedure was that every 100 households would form a village whilst six villages constituted a ward. The basic social unit in the villages is the household, which is a physical entity usually, organised along lineage lines. A household is composed of a number of adults and their dependants. Traditionally, the complex family unit also forms the unit of production decision making (i.e. economic unit). The term "economic - unit" can be defined as a group of people whose basic consumption needs are met from a common field(s).

Farmer Mobilisation
The established farmers groups were called upon to mobilise their farming communities into involvement with the project. This approach was effected to enable opportunities for everyone in the village to take an active part and participate in the activities of the project. The farmers groups, which operate like mutual aid groups, have adequate information on its membership in terms of socio-economic management and members' commitment to the project.

Selection of Plot Holders
The selection of plot holders was based on surveys previously carried out which stratified farmers according to their resources, willingness of the farmers to participate, experience and location of the field plots.

The responsibility of farmer selection was left with the farmers groups to identify farmers from each ward. Three farmers hosted sorghum and millets in each of the three wards in Tsholothso, whilst two farmers in each ward hosted sorghum and millet in UMP and Chiredzi project wards. In other words, there were three replications in each ward in Tsholotsho and two in UMP and Chiredzi.

Seed Distribution Strategy
Improved OPV seed of sorghum and pearl millet were obtained from ICRISAT and distributed to the identified farmers. The farmers were asked to grow the varieties along side their traditional varieties, assess and evaluate them according to their own preferences on the agronomic performances of the materials. They were also asked to grow the materials using their farming practices.

Five varieties each of sorghum and pearl millet were issued to participating farmers in UMP, Chiredzi and Tsholotsho districts. The table below indicates improved OPVs issued to host farmers.

Improved OPVs of Sorghum and Millet Provided to Farmers

Sorghum varieties Pearl millet varieties
MACIA

SV-2

LARSVYT-4685

SDSL-89420

SDSL-90167		 SDMV-93032

ICMV-88908

SDMV-92040

SDMV-92038

TSPM-91018

Establishment of Demonstrations Plots

Demonstration plots were established in UMP, Chiredzi and Tsholotsho districts. The gross area planted per plot was 40 metres by 20 metres giving a total area of 0.08hectares. Two replications of each variety were planted at each plot. Plot designs, schematic layouts, input recommendations, planting times, harvesting methods and other technical inputs to the trials were given to the farmer through the advisory services of CTDT and Agritex. However, the plot holder (farmer) were accorded the freedom to attend to the crop in the same way as they have gone about their farming practices.

Data Collection

The crop characteristics of the farmer’s preferences were documented during the growing of the crop through organised field visits for evaluation, field days prior to harvesting, and at seed fairs. The objective was on-farm evaluation for agronomic performance and characters like drought and pest tolerance, yield potential etc. of the trials.

The demonstration plots were monitored through periodic visits. This was made possible by the presence of research assistants who are based at each project site and tasked to work hand in hand with farmers.

The information collection process was of two forms; firstly, the project personnel collected data through monitoring of crop trials. This was aimed at obtaining general crop performance in the agro-ecologies and enumerating some of the crop variety characteristics. Secondly, farmers were allowed free access to the trial plots and intermingled amongst themselves, as they would do normally. Information was obtained from farmers through continued contacts maintained throughout the trials.

When crops were nearing maturity, field days were organised to demonstrate the potential of the various varieties, and to promote awareness on the possibilities of farmers involvement in technological innovation development. The field days also served as the first focal point for crop variety evaluation. It provided an opportunity and forum for continued group assessment by farmers of the various crop varieties under demonstration, and brought together people from agricultural extension, district council officials, local NGOs and community leaders. The field-days were held on in the following areas:

Following the harvest, farmer to farmer interviews were conducted for a technical evaluation, which seeks to establish farmers selection criteria regarding agronomic characteristics, threshability, poundability, storability and field potentials. Further, farmers would carry out an end-use evaluation to assess cooking quality, brewing and provender qualities of the grains. Palatability in food dishes is determined and considered paramount in varietal adoption by farmers.

The final stage may be an economic evaluation to determine the marketability of the products. Project staff would carry out an agronomic evaluation of the varieties taking into account edifice, biotic and abiotic factors. During the whole growth phase of the crops, they carry out visual assessment of the crops as well as to identify off-types for rouging. The project sought to identify the parameters that constitute evaluation instruments for farmers. These were noted at each evaluation stage and were interpreted to give a picture of farmer preferences. Such preferences formed form the basis for germplasm diversity and seed production plans to direct on-farm research and development.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Constraints to Production

Priority on-farm production constraints include: lack of quality seed, stand establishment, moisture and nutrient stress, insect/pest problem, yield potential of local cultivars and traditional management practices. The above constraints which are of agronomic nature can be addressed and overcome through utilisation of improved varieties and better management practices that involve use of tillage, fertiliser (crop residues and animal manure) timely planting, weeding, intercropping and rotations. Integrated pest management techniques that would include use of resistant local varieties, improved management would effectively reduce the damage.

The table below summarises the constraints faced by farmers in terms of small grain production in the project areas:

Strategies to Overcome Major On-farm Constraints to Small Grains Production

Constraint Factors Strategy
Stand establishment Moisture, temperature good quality seed, tillage, ridging, residues
Moisture stress Drought during crop establishment and grain filling Timely planting, correct (drought) planting densities, soil management, early and drought-tolerant varieties
Insects Stem borers, Head caterpillars Genetic resistant varieties and cultural practices
Diseases Downy mildew, Smut Genetic resistant varieties
Striga Striga Cultural practices, genetic resistance
Local cultivars Mixed, low production potential Crop improvement on-farm, adopted varieties with stability of production
Farmers in the three areas identified the above constraints and discussions focused on the need to incorporate strategies designed to minimise the adverse effects of the constraints. There is need to provide farmers with advise, training and materials that are drought tolerant, disease and pest resistant and good quality seed in an effort to address small grains production. As farmers identified the above small grains production constraints, they expressed their willingness to be involved in the process of effecting strategies to address these problems.

In U.M.P and Chiredzi, rodents ate the seeds resulting to poor crop establishment. Though farmers in Tsholotsho experienced the same problem, not many farmers were affected. In Chiredzi specifically, the rainfall season was characterised by erratic and poor rainfall distribution, which resulted with poor crop emergence. In general, no inputs (fertilisers) were applied, as these were farmer managed demonstration plots. In Tsholotsho, nine (9) replicates were established for sorghum and millet whilst UMP and Chiredzi had four (4) for each crop.

Farmers Selection Criteria and Preferences

During the whole programme, farmers considered various parameters and listed a range of characteristics that they looked at in evaluating the varieties. The criteria on which farmers based their evaluation and selection can be grouped into four categories:
  • agronomic,
  • technical,
  • taste, and
  • economic properties
    • Farmers Selection Criteria Considered on Agronomic Properties in UMP, Chiredzi and Tsholotsho districts.

    Farmers were asked to score on a 1-10 scale the importance of the above agronomic characteristics during the selection process. Germination ability, short growth cycle, drought tolerance, panicle size and grain size rank as the most preferred characters by farmers. Two characters which were scored above 90% across the sites are short growth cycle and panicle size. The two are an expression of ability to withstand the effects of recurrent droughts, stress and poor rainfall distribution and yield potential as farmers select for bigger panicles though this is closely related to grain size. The least considered characters are plant height, lodging, tillering ability and plant vigour. Farmers did not consider plant height as a critical character provided the variety is capable to withstand stress, mature early and produce good panicle. Though tillering has the contributory factor of increasing yield farmers gave this character an average 67%, which is relatively important. While farmers did not consider plant height of significance they did show related appreciation and comfort of harvesting dwarf varieties, especially with sorghums.

    Processing and Use Properties

    The other selection criteria are dictated by processing and use factors which farmers highlighted as significant. A similar exercise was undertaken to determine farmer preferences.

    Ease of threshing, ease of dehulling (pounding) cooking quality, storing ability and grain colour are the most preferred processing and utilisation characters. The three preferred characteristics (threshability, poundability and storability) can not be constituted in one variety but within few selected materials.

    In view of the above it is important to emphasise on the dynamic trials required by farmers which are factors determining crop variety adoption. Many factors have contributed to technology rejection by farmers but this has mainly been due to lack of farmer participation in determing crop characteristics preferred. In fact, what we are advocating for is that improved technology, in-order to be relevant, must be in time and place and to some extent individual specific - though a daunting task! An underlying concern of this approach is that farmers should be involved in technology development from the on set (ICRISAT, 1981).

    Detailed information with respect to the three characters will be documented during the mid-term review of the project.

    Cooking Qualities

     Farmers will show their selection criteria of utilisation stage which is critical to determine acceptability of the selected materials. Farmers would rate the varieties according to their cooking qualities. This will be done by trying various dishes to check with each variety. This will be done over a period and will involve the whole family and visitors. Farmers in all project wards referred to the evaluation at this stage as inclusive of brewing qualities. The brewing of opaque beer, which is an important component of such social gatherings as weddings, celebrations of harvest and other ceremonies is considered in all three sites as an essential part of communal lives.

    Sorghum and millet utilisation is basically used as staple food for human consumption. Other uses of small grains include the use of their stalks as building materials, livestock feed, flour for human consumption and or brewed into beverages (Byth, 1993).

    Farmers end-use qualities would need to be identified and form the basis for crop improvement and product development designed to broaden the base for small grains utilisation. The other aspect of policy in nature would be to investigate the prospects of providing incentives for small-scale hammer millers to develop milling and packaging techniques for small grains.

    Conclusions and Recommendations

    It is recommended that; the project be repeated in the same areas for further two seasons at least. The promising varieties should be tried over a wider range of agro-ecologies or space and time to facilitate farmers selection and identification of preferred trials which expresses themselves and adopt to varying environment. Locally adapted types/ landraces should also be included in the programme to provide a wider choice of planting materials which may be developed by employing farmer criteria of selection complemented by yield oriented descriptors from breeders. This will enhance crop improvement through farmer participatory approaches as an integral part of research activities aimed at rural development and local level seed production strategies.

    Results of the evaluation of demonstration plots show the following indications:
    1. Farmers do have a wealth of experience which can be relied upon for scientific and technological development in agriculture.
    2. Farmers know what they want and can articulate their needs well
    3. Farmers varieties can still be improved further.
    4. There is scope for re-establishing agro-biodiversity through germplasm improvement and landrace enhancement.
    5. Gender sensitivity does manifest in issues like division of labour. Land selection and preparation, threshing and marketing, are the domains of the male labour resources while planting, threshing, pounding and preparation of food are the domain of women’s responsibilities.

    These results are however inconclusive by themselves. Firstly, they have been produced from one season’s trials only. Empirical findings would require a repetition to test their validity. The first indications are only a guideline for deductive reasoning prior to confirmation.

    Secondly, the 1996-97 agricultural season was unusual and peculiar in that more than average rains fell in all the project sites. There was a generally good performance of all crops. This would tend to camouflage the drought resistant advantage of some varieties over others, giving an over-impressive impact of some of the varieties under trials and therefore mislead both scientific deduction and farmers.

    In conclusion, the project offers greater scope and opportunities for inter-institutional collaboration, research continuity, technological innovations and developmental impact in the drought prone marginal areas of Zimbabwe. The aspect of incorporating farmers knowledge, innovations and technologies and gap filling through training and capacity building will enhance the sustainability of the project.

    References

    ICRISAT, 1981. Farm and Village Production Systems in the Semi-arid Tropics of West Africa: An Interpretative Review of Research

    Clinton, R.T., 1985. Constraints Limiting On-farm Crop Production in the Communal Farming sector

    Byth, D.E., 1993. Sorghum and Millets Commodity and Research Environments