1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

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

6. 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

7. Methods
Focused group interviews

8. Methods
Preference scoring and matrix ranking

9. 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

10. Proportions of farmers that have abandoned some cassava cultivars
Solwezi

11. Proportions of farmers abandoning some cassava cultivars
Mwinilunga

12. 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

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

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

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

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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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

23. ENJOY A VIEW OF SOME ZAMBIAN CASSAVA PRODUCTS!
THANK YOU