Bioversity InternationalRole in the International Network for

Edible Aroids

Danny HunterMalaysia, 13th to 14th April, 2011

Overview

• Some background on Bioversity International

• Role in INEA• Key Activities for Year 1• Relevant references and resources• Key next steps

One of the 15 Centres of the CGIAR

Where we work

A staff of over 300 operating from over 20 locations around the world

Bioversity’s Role in INEA

Work Package 8On-farm trials and participatory activities

42. Selected genotypes distributed to farmers

43. Selected genotypes evaluated by farmers

44. C1s propagated and distributed to farmers

45. On-farm trial harvested and quality tests done

46. One MSc defended (Papua New Guinea)

47. Two papers published in international journals

More Diversity, Faster to Farmers

Work Package 8On-farm trials and participatory activities

• Surveys are conducted to select Villages and Farmers

• Participatory Rural Appraisals are conducted in ten Villages

Action Plan for the First 12 Months

Selection of Villages

What criteria?• What are the target environments?• Are we targeting high potential areas or marginal

areas, or both?• Do we want to target particular socioeconomic groups?• Are villages representative of the major production

areas for taro in terms of climate, agronomic practices, soil types, landscapes etc.?

Selection of Farmers What Criteria?

• Who are the target farmers?

• Subsistence and commercial?

• Expert farmers, research-minded, knowledgeable

• Motivated, interested?

• Keen to share their knowledge and learning?

• Hold key nodal positions in the community?

• Gender, women as custodians (PRAs)

• Geographical coverage?

• Individual or group approach?

Individuals or Groups Which?

• See TaroGen guidelines for TIP in Samoa (provided)• Organizing a farmer group for taro evaluation• Membership, ‘Farmer Agreement’ and ‘Information Form’• Integrating Researchers, Extension Staff and Farmers (private sector?)• Facilitation, meetings, rules and regulations• Taro focused PRAs, production problems, perception of taro cultivars,

ranking of criteria• Evaluation, record keeping etc

Singh et al (2001) Guidelines for undertaking on-farm taro breeding trials in the South Pacific. AusAID/SPC TaroGen

Recognition of farmer Recognition of farmer innovatorsinnovators

Nodal farmers for conserving rich diversity and exchange TK and materials

Innovative farmers, research-minded

Participatory survey techniques

o PRA (Participatory Rural Analysis): a set of data-gathering and awareness-raising toolsSpatial data Temporal dataIdentify production problemsCriteria ranking – farmer needsGoal and priority setting Social/institutional informationIndigenous/local data

o Both qualitative and quantitative

Participatory survey techniques

o PRA: Participatory rather than extractive Data is owned by rural people -- Outsiders merely facilitate

collection & analysis of information by rural people themselves

o PRA allows communication between outsiders and insiders

o Ensures collection of relevant datao Participation should mature into partnershipo Results of analyses should always be fed back to

community

Fieldwork basics: Planning

o Determine sampling strategyo Form small teams (3-5 ideal)o Meet with local authorities to clarify objectives, inform of

site selection and obtain supporto Conduct public meetings in each site to explain objectives

and methodso Reference material for the field should include relevant

secondary datao Keep a daily diaryo Choose carefully the timing of your site visits – disturb

agricultural routine as little as possibleo Farmers are busy people -- make appointments and keep

them

Plant breeding and farmer participation

o PVS and PBB Background (both relevant)o Methodologies (3 & 9)o Priority setting (4)o Clonal crops (13)o University Breeding

Clubs?

Important Resources

o Friis-Hansen, E. and Sthapit, B. (2000) Participatory Approaches to the Conservation and Use of Plant Genetic Resources. Bioversity International, Rome, Italy

o Ceccarelli, S., Guimaraes, E. P. and Weltzien, E. (2009) Plant Breeding and Farmer Participation. ICRISAT/ICARDA/FAO

o Singh et al (2001) Guidelines for Undertaking On Farm Taro Breeding Trials in the South Pacific. Secretariat of the Pacific Community

o Salvatore Ceccarelli’s 2010 powerpoint presentation on participatory plant breeding is usefulhttp://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2010am/webprogram/Session7569.html

Key Next Steps – year 1 Participatory working group?

• Define key criteria for village selection• Define key criteria for farmers selection• Revise Farmer Information (Annex 3) and Farmer

Agreement (Annex 4) forms for INEA• Develop a taro focused participatory rural appraisal

(PRA) toolkit• Training on PPB/PVS?