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FARMER INVOLVEMENT IN SELECTING NEW VARIETIES: POTATOES IN BOLIVIA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 April 2001

G. THIELE
Affiliation:
Potato Research Programme of the National Institute for Agricultural Technology (IBTA-PROINPA), Casilla 4285, Cochabamba, Bolivia
G. GARDNER
Affiliation:
Potato Research Programme of the National Institute for Agricultural Technology (IBTA-PROINPA), Casilla 4285, Cochabamba, Bolivia
R. TORREZ
Affiliation:
Potato Research Programme of the National Institute for Agricultural Technology (IBTA-PROINPA), Casilla 4285, Cochabamba, Bolivia
J. GABRIEL
Affiliation:
Potato Research Programme of the National Institute for Agricultural Technology (IBTA-PROINPA), Casilla 4285, Cochabamba, Bolivia

Abstract

The strengths and weaknesses of the evolving techniques used by researchers in Bolivia to evaluate potato germplasm with farmers are assessed. When detailed knowledge of farmers' criteria is required, questionnaires or forms are most appropriate; otherwise techniques from participatory rural appraisal could be used. Initially, when evaluating large numbers of clones, scientists' and farmers' choices tended to coincide, although subsequently they diverged. This suggested that it may be more efficient to involve farmers later in the selection process, ensuring that an interesting amount of diversity still exists, and work to improve breeders' knowledge of farmers' criteria. Integration between social scientists and breeders was less than ideal at the start of the study, reducing the impact of farmer evaluations on the breeding programme.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1997 Cambridge University Press

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