Why is variety adoption so low?
Mali agronomists tell us that adoption of improved varieties in the country is around 5%. The reasons are familiar. The agricultural extension service needs to be expanded if the ministry of agriculture is ever going to reach farmers.Many farmers lack connection to the major towns and cities. Improved varieties usually need to be adopted in conjunction with other technologies, like fertilizer or irrigation.
One key barrier to adoption is simply that the improved varieties are not adapted to local conditions. Strengthening trial sites can help agricultural scientisits test which varieties are best adapted to which specific sites. The Africa Trials Sites project aims to help African farmers overcome this barrier by supporting cultivar testing.
In the attached photo a Mali farmer explains his participation in on-farm participatory trials of maize, groundnut and sorghum. To the left of him is Africa Trial Sites colleague and IITundefinedA scientist Kai Sonder.
Last Updated (Monday, 01 February 2010 20:48)