On a Field Day Farmers Celebrate Choosing Rice Lines of Preference
- 31st August, 2023 09:17
- By NGABO.PAMBA
- News

At later stages of a
variety cafeteria established by a group of 12 rice farmers in 2023 growing
season under the supervision of research, a field day was organized at Dakawa
Irrigation scheme in Mvomero District on the 15th August 2023
gathering more than a hundred actors of the rice value chain from Dakawa,
Lukindo, Lukenge, Dihinda, Mkindo, Kigugu, Komtonga and Lukenge villages. Recognizing
the potential of innovation systems approach and the involvement of diverse actors
in technology dissemination, the event welcomed smallholder farmers, traders, agricultural
extension workers and researchers (Table 1).
Table 1: Number of Participants in gender wise
Category |
Males |
Females |
Total |
Farmers/traders |
48 |
25 |
73 |
Agricultural Extension
Staff |
7 |
2 |
9 |
Researchers/Field
Officers |
19 |
7 |
26 |
Grand total |
74 |
34 |
108 |
The intent of the
event was to showcase 10 rice lines[1] to
expectant end-users and involve them evaluate and choose the best bet of the
same in respect to their criteria or preferences, the opportunity granted
observing the in-field performance and kernels on display. This serves to demonstrate and enhance
adoptability of the varieties of choice to farmers and other stakeholders upon
release. Likewise, promotion and evaluation of the recent and popular released
varieties of TARI RIC1, TARI RIC2, TARI RIC3, TXD306, and KOMBOKA took grounds
in the event. The later both provides evidences and establishes a mechanism to
feed back the research about the consumer preferences to consider in future breeding
programs.
The participants went around the field, through each plot, where ten rice lines were grown, observed the performance and had casted ballots for the best performed line, according to their choice. The results favored KAT3-4-1-1, the line which had many productive tillers, long panicles, and long slender grains, the participants preferred, as compared to others. On display of kernels the selection favored SUPA.
Farmers go round the trial established at Dakawa Irrigation Scheme, observe the performance and select the best performing rice line. Source: Ngabo
Moreover, researchers
explained most important distinctive merits of each released variety on
promotion, and then the audience made a glance of displayed kernels and polled for
the best one. Similarly balloting was done with cooked milled rice for the sensory
testing. TXD306 (SARO 5) and TARI RIC3 occupied
the first and second rankings respectively in both kernels observations and
organoleptic testing.
[1] Rice lines adopted (DK2, KAT3-4-4-3-1-1, IRRI 3N154, KAT3-4-1-1, DK3, IRRI 223, SUPA) are advancing to the national performance tests (NPT) and distinctness, uniformity and stability testing (DUS) after which whether qualify for release or not. The varieties included TARI RIC1, TARI RIC3 and TXD306.