Participatory Variety Analysis

Participatory variety analysis is an approach to provide choices of varieties to farmers for increasing production within the constraints of their socioeconomic and agro-ecological condition. It is also a selection process for testing released or promising genotypes in farmers’ field. Participatory variety analysis includes research and extension methods to deploy genetic materials at on- farm experiment. A variety developed through participatory variety selection is more likely to meet the demands of different stakeholders.

Participatory variety analysis comprises three steps to identify a preferred variety: - Situation analysis and identification of farmers’ needs - Search for genetic materials to test under farmers’ conditions - Experimentation of on-farm research and dissemination of preferred varieties