Abstract
Production and utilisation of mungbean (Vigna radiata) in Uganda is constrained by unavailability of improved and farmer-preferred varieties. The objective of this study was to document and assess farmers’ preference for mungbean using eleven introduced genotypes. We captured twenty five traits during farmer interviews out of which six traits were identified (through group discussions) as the most often used by farmers when selecting the best mungbean genotypes. The traits were; yield, overall performance, seed size, seed colour, marketability and early maturity. Nine out of eleven introduced genotypes were selected during on-farm trials using the six traits. The selected genotypes were; Filsan, Mauritius, Sunshine, VC6137B14, VC61485012, VC6153B20, KPS1, VC6173B10 and VC63724560. The selected genotypes were early maturing (60-70 days), with large green or greenish yellow seeds. However, two late maturing (80-90 days) and small seeded genotypes; Blackgram and Yellowgram were rejected by farmers despite yielding higher (1459 and 1035 kg ha-1, respectively) than other genotypes. This study showed that farmers use a combination of traits when choosing a mungbean genotype for adoption and these should be considered in mungbean improvement. Chi square tests of independence showed that there were no significant differences in genotype choices based on gender (χ2 = 2.5419, P-value = 0.97). However, there were significant genotype preference differences between eastern and northern regions (χ2 = 22.34, P< 0.01). It is possible to develop new genotypes that are acceptable to both men and women since they have no specific trait preferences.Key Words: Gender, preferences, Vigna radiata
Highlights
MATERIALS AND METHODSMungbean, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, is an important food and cash crop in Uganda
Six traits out of twenty five were chosen as the most often used for evaluating mungbean genotypes
Our observations in this study indicate that large green seeded mungbean genotypes are readily marketed and as a result farmers’ preferences are strongly influenced by market forces
Summary
MATERIALS AND METHODSMungbean, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, is an important food and cash crop in Uganda. Mungbean improves soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation and is, used in crop rotations, mixed cropping and alley cropping systems (Heuzé et al, 2015). Farmers in these regions, mainly grow landraces, whose productivity is low; estimated at less than 300 kg ha-1; making cultivation of the crop less profitable (Ibedo, 2014). There are ongoing research efforts in the country aimed at developing and selecting high yielding mungbean varieties. For these efforts to be successful, farmer and consumer preferences need to be considered. The objective of this study was to explore farmers’ acceptance criteria and preferences for mungbean; and their use for selection among a group of introduced mungbean genetic materials in Uganda
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