Participatory update of major uses and desirable varietal attributes of cassava and its implications for a plant breeder in North western Zambia Bwembya, S., A. Chalwe and R. Melis Presented at the Second Scientific Conference of the GCP 21 –II, Kampala, Uganda June 18-22, 2012

Introduction Lack of farmer involvement in breeding programmes contribute to slow rate or lack of adoption of varieties (Fukuda and Saad, 2001). Farmers are custodians of indigenous /traditional knowledge Farmers conduct informal experiments to cope with changing environment, but their effort is not recognized Scientists to identify such farmers, appreciate their work and begin to work with them for better results. Involving farmers results in farmers being responsible, owners , transparency with reduced skepticism

Introduction Use of participatory plant breeding(PPB) enables researchers to respond precisely and efficiently to the needs and preferences of resource-poor farmers and their markets.

Objectives To provide an update on the farmers’ preferred attributes and major uses of cassava varieties To identify researchable needs which can be addressed through conventional breeding.

Methods Time of survey: Sept – Oct 2009 Study sites: 6 camps, 2 districts: 60 farmers

Methods Information collected on: Inventory of existing and abandoned cassava cultivars Indigenous knowledge about existing cassava cultivars Undesirable attributes as reasons to abandon cultivars Desirable/farmers preferred attributes Uses of existing cassava cultivars

Methods Focused group interviews

Methods Preference scoring and matrix ranking

RESULTS Differences in varietal preference based on ethnic groups Cassava is mainly grown by the Lundas in Mwinilunga and less grown by the Kaondes in Solwezi in NW Zambia Larger cassava fields (>0.5 ha) in Mwinilunga more experienced farmers (>10 years) in Mwinilunga wider diversity of cassava varieties in Mwinilunga

Proportions of farmers that have abandoned some cassava cultivars Solwezi

Proportions of farmers abandoning some cassava cultivars Mwinilunga

Reasons for Abandonment Reasons for abandoning some cassava cultivars District Abandoned Reasons for Abandonment Solwezi Bunganabutu Very prone to mole damage, plus low root yield Kapumba Highly prone to moles, roots highly fibrous, and prone to frost and theft Tangala Prone to frost and insect damage Chamala Very poor growth and root yield Kundamanga Few leaves and prone to insect damage resulting into self-extinction Bangwele Too bitter, susceptible to diseases, yellow flour Mwinilunga Neti Attracts insects and easily damaged by frost/hell storm Bunguta Few and small roots Loja Prone to theft and monkey damage Prone to moles, and root rots Nyauseya Prone to rotting in the field

Ranking reasons for abandoning cassava cultivars †Score 1 = least non-desirable, 10 = most non-desirable

Ranking of varietal attributes in Solwezi †Score 1 = least important, 10 = most important

Ranking of varietal attributes Mwinilunga †Score 1 = least important, 10 = most important

†Score 1 = least important, 10 = most important Ranking of uses of cassava in Solwezi †Score 1 = least important, 10 = most important

†Score 1 = least important, 10 = most important Ranking of uses in Mwinilunga †Score 1 = least important, 10 = most important

Desirable varietal attributes Matrix ranking of uses of cassava and associated varietal attributes in Mwinilunga Uses Desirable varietal attributes High yield DM Good under ground storability Early To mature Bitter roots Sweet Fast growing Frost hell storm tolerance Pest disease resistance Nshima 5 8 4 ns 1 2 Making gravy Gun powder 10 3 Brewing 15 Income (selling/ exchange for labour) Starch for ironing Making glue 12 Vegetable 9 6 Medicine *ns = no score, implying that the relationship if any is not considered important in a given locality

Desirable varietal attributes Matrix ranking of cassava uses and associated varietal attributes in Solwezi Uses Desirable varietal attributes High root yield DM Early mature Purple inner root skin High yield of planting material Bitter roots Sweet Pest/disease resistance Nshima 10 8 7 ns Baking (scones, Biscuits,cakes) 5 Brewing beer 6 4 Vegetable 15 Medicine 12 Income (selling and exchange For labour) Livestock feed 2 Snack (boiled, roasted, and raw) 3 *ns = no score, implying relationship if any is not considered important in a given locality

DISCUSSION /CONCLUSION Study revealed several factors that need to be considered in designing breeding programs Preferences for varietal attributes are dynamic, varied with time and also dep. on location Ranking of cassava attributes in Solwezi was in the order high root yield > high DM > sweet roots> high yield of planting materials Ranking of cassava attributes in Mwinilunga was in the order high root yield > early maturity > high DM > high tolerant to frost Cultivars with combination of good attributes are more preferred with high chances of adoption

DISCUSSION /CONCLUSION Cassava uses varied depending on location except for use for nshima being most preferred in both districts Ranking of cassava uses in Solwezi was in the order Nshima > vegetable > selling/exchange for labor > snacks Ranking of cassava uses in Mwinilunga was in the order Nshima > selling/exchange for labor > vegetable> medicine High root yield is the most important attribute to the farmers but they are more likely to reject or abandon a cultivar that gives them a small number of roots and worse roots are very small in size. Cultivars combining high root yield, high DM content and good underground storability raises are preferred for nshima.

IMPLICATIONS TO NATIONAL PROGRAMMES As utilization of cassava broadens, changes in varietal attributes of interest end-users may arise This scenario may suggest need for routine and periodical PLA/PRA studies with all players in the cassava value chain Done to updated stakeholders needs/desires (farmers, trader, industrialist and other consumers) Breeders/Researchers change or shift emphasis of breeding objectives towards end-users’ desired cassava attributes and uses Increased chances of adoption and retention of cultivars by famers

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