Abstract
Participatory varietal selection is a rapid and cost effective way of identifying farmer’s preferred variety from diverse genetic material. A number of indigenous advanced wheat lines, and exotic material from CIMMYT, ICARDA and Turkey were tested using participatory varietal selection during 1998 to 2001 in the northern areas (Gilgit Baltistan) of Pakistan. Based on the farmers’ preference criteria, annual workshops of field management units and combined data from 1998 to 2001, three wheat lines NR-74, NR-142 and NR-152 were selected. These lines yielded 50% more in grain and straw, and had desirable grain colour and bread making quality than local varieties. Seeds of these lines were distributed in small quantity among the village Organisations and Woman Organization for seed multiplication. The results of a household-level survey during 2007 showed that the selected wheat lines were cultivated over an area of 70% in the target area, indicating that the adoption rate of varieties was improved by farmers’ participation. Participatory varietal selection approach is, therefore, suggested to adopt in resource-poor areas to develop varieties that best suit the needs of the farmers. Key words: Gilgit Baltistan, farmers’ participatory research, wheat, participatory varietal selection
Highlights
Administrated Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan is located in the panorama of three world’s highest mountainous ranges Himalaya, Karakuram and Hindukush
In order to address the problems of resource poor farmers, farmer participatory approaches were advocated by many workers
The elite wheat lines of Wheat Program, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan, NARC elite lines (NRs)-74, NR-142 and NR152 failed to be released as commercial varieties via conventional breeding approach
Summary
Administrated Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan is located in the panorama of three world’s highest mountainous ranges Himalaya, Karakuram and Hindukush. Wheat occupies a central position in the fascinating and complex farming system of Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. It is grown for both its grain and straw, since grain is the main dietary item of the farmers and wheat straw is the major cattle feed during the severe winter (Qamar et al, 2004). Farmers of the region have been involved in empirical selection of wheat varieties for centuries either by exchanging seeds of new varieties between villages or bringing seeds from far-flung regions (Hussain, 1986). Majority of the farming community believe that the dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties released for plains of the country are inferior in grain quality and yield of straw to the tall varieties (Hussain, 1986).
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