Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

One would ask why participatory variety selection in breeding programs or what value does it add in the development of the new crop varieties, this round in rice crop? Here is the case whereby rice farmers appreciate them being engaged in selecting rice lines they prefer to. 

Rice farmers from the Mombo irrigation scheme in Tanga region participated in the Participatory Variety Selection (PVS) carried out on May 23, 2023, an exercise intends to ensure that the development of the rice seeds best suits the needs of array of stakeholders. This exercise has been supervised by researchers from TARI Dakawa center where 40 farmers (25 women and 15 men) and other stakeholders in rice value chain participated. 

Speaking to journalists, the farmers said that for years have been collaborating with TARI through its Morogoro-based Dakawa centre by both observing and participating in the various trials of rice seeds that are being carried out in the scheme. This round, they claimed to have found the rice seed most suitable for them and they wish it could be registered and reach them sooner. "We ask that the seed we chose will reach us on time because we like it", said some farmers attended the event.

PVS is done as one of the important requirements for official certification, verification and registration of a new crop variety in Tanzania and for promoting and enhancing a wide adoption of the same by the farmers; increases the popularity of better varieties by raising awareness based on smallholder farmers’ selection criteria.