Official Newsletter of the WANA Seed Network
No. 30,
January 2006
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In this section we provide technical/practical information that seed sector staff may find useful. The guidelines are simple instructions for technical staff involved in seed production and quality control.
How to No 32: Do We Need Technology Transfer in Participatory Plant Breeding?
In general, decades of conventional plant breeding failed to generate better adapted varieties for crops grown in less favourable environment or marginal areas. Consequently, participatory plant breeding was launched as an alternative approach. However, regardless of the breeding methods used the new crop varieties generated need to be transferred, in a systematic manner, to farmers. Conventional plant breeding and seed supply evolved into an integrated technology generation and transfer system. For participatory plant breeding, it is assumed that systematic seed supply may not be as important as it is in conventional systems. The arguments supporting this point of view are that in participatory approach those who generate and use the technology are essentially the same; hence there is no need for technology transfer. This point of view is rather simplistic and is not new. Some conventional plant breeders also believe that if you have a good variety you do not need a seed supply system because farmers will find a way to get it.
The answer to this assumption is simple. A variety is defined product and the seed need to be produced, in an organized manner and made available to farmers. This process of increasing the quantity while maintaining quality cannot be achieved without a systematic approach.
Historically, farmers developed local landraces and maintained them for centuries, but the landraces were defined by some physical, phenological or physiological traits and the number of well defined and commonly existing landraces per crop was few and the rate of replacement is rather low. In participatory plant breeding, a systematic approach to seed production cannot be ignored.
Despite the breeding methodology applied, the output is a defined product, i.e., pure-line, multi-line or populations. The final product needs to be, in an organized manner, made known and available to users in the right quality and quantity and at the right time, price and place. The simplest solution for technology transfer in participatory plant breeding, therefore, is to use the existing formal seed system and make adjustments wherever necessary. The informal seed system is compatible and an integral part of crop improvement by farmers. In contrary, participatory plant breeding is a formal sector activity that can not be sustained without support from a formal seed system. In situations where participatory plant breeding is a viable option, formal seed supply will make it more sustainable. Abdoul Aziz Niane, Seed Unit, ICARDA, P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria; Fax: ++963-21-2213490; E-mail: a.niane@cgiar.org (Editor's note: The views expressed here are intended to stimulate discussions among professionals and different stakeholders. We invite you to contribute to this dialogue by sharing your views and practical experiences. Contributions are welcome in Arabic, English or French).