Summary
This demand-driven study is an attempt to address a couple of biotic
and abiotic potato constraints. The action research model applied is
intensive as it combines training-of-trainers (ToT) and participatory
varietal selection experiments. The ToT comprised five training
modules that spanned two growing seasons. The first three modules
were designed by facilitators whereas the second round was
participant-led. Twenty one participants representing various
stakeholders attended the ToT. Moreover, one mother and twenty-nine
baby trials were conducted in Lushoto, Kwesine, Boheloi and Maringo
villages. The experiment comprised six CIP advanced clones, three
improved varieties and Kidinya as local check. Results showed very
promising genotypes for fresh tuber yield and resistance/tolerance to
Late Blight (LB) during the main season. Three clones (CIP398208.29,
CIP388676.1 and CIP392797.22) along with varieties Shangii and
Asante were the most preferred by farmers regardless of gender for
their resistance/tolerance to LB and yield. The same materials
confirmed their high performance during the second season despite
high temperatures and severe dry spell. Furthermore they produced
high quality chips and tasty boiled potatoes. These genotypes are now
all proposed by farmers for release except Asante which has been
recently released in Tanzania.
Introduction
Lushoto is the most densely populated rural district in Tanzania.
Situated in the North-east of the country, Lushoto is part of the
highlands of Tanzania where potatoes are traditionally grown.
Statistics show that Lushoto produces more potatoes than some
countries like Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo or
Mozambique. Even though potato is a traditional crop, farmers can
plant economically only once a year due to heat during the short rainy
season. Potato productivity is severely reduced by high temperature,
drought and climate-driven pests and diseases such as aphids, Late
Blight and viruses. The present study initiated on farmers’ request is
an attempt to respond to some of these bioclimatic challenges by
empowering farmers to plant year round while increasing yields
through participatory action research.
Materials and Methods
The action research model applied is intensive, as most of the
partners involved in facilitation are also trainees. Tested for the first
time in Mozambique, the approach consists of combining training-of-
trainers (ToT) and participatory varietal selection experiments (Fig.1).
Figure 3. Contrasting behavior to LB of two genotypes from the same experimental
block photographed almost at the same time. Note that fields were sprayed using
contact and systemic fungicides.
Results
Results obtained showed very highly significant difference between
genotypes for their resistance/tolerance to Late Blight (LB) and
fresh tuber yield (Fig. 3). Participatory assessments were confirmed
by statistical analysis and three CIP clones (CIP398208.29,
CIP392797.22 and CIP388676.1) were selected by farmers for their
overall performance, including organoleptic attributes (Fig. 5).
Figure 1. Participants to the 2-day ToT sessions: meeting room sessions (Left)
normally followed by field practice (Right) on the second day. Technical school interns
also participated to the field work.
In the present study, a total of twenty one participants representing
farmers, extension services and NGOs attended the ToT. One
Mother and twenty-nine Baby trials were conducted in Lushoto,
Kwesine, Boheloi and Maringo villages. The experiment comprised
six CIP potentially resilient and high yielding clones, three improved
varieties and Kidinya as local check.
FigureFigureFigureFigure 2.2.2.2. Average temperature (Left) and rainfall (Right) that prevailed in Lushoto
respectively during the two seasons and short rainy season. LRS=Long rainy season,
SRS=Short rainy season. Temperature increased by 6°C from one season to the other
and trials were planted on 5 – 7 November 2014.
Figure 4. Participatory Assessment of LB Resistance/tolerance of Mother and Baby
Trials using maize grains (males) and bean grains (females) during the LRS (Left),
and Average Fresh Tuber Yield from the two seasons (Right) .
Figure 5. Participatory assessment of organoleptic attributes conducted by 57
panelists in Kwesine (left) and 24 panelists in Maringo (right) for the genotypes
selected in the wetter season and re-tested in the warmer (up to 6°C increase) and
dryer season (rains only during the first 2 months) .
On the other hand Kidinya, a local variety was unanimously qualified
as “ source of poverty” by farmers participating in various
assessments. Most of farmers who had planted this variety during
the main season totally lost their crop due to high LB pressure that
prevailed in the district.
Conclusions
• Four genotypes (CIP398208.29, CIP392797.22, CIP388676.1 and
Shangii are recommended by farmers and other stakeholders for
formal release.
• Variety Obama revealed to be Shangii, a Kenyan farmers’ variety
but very famous on the market. Obama crossed the border when
the current US President was campaigning for the first term.
• No significant difference observed between men’s and women’s
preferences in the different assessments conducted.
Bibliography
• Förch W. Sijmons K,Mutie I, Kiplimo J, Cramer L, Kristjanson P, Thornton P, Radeny M, Moussa A and
Bhatta G (2013). Core Sites in the CCFS regions: East Africa, West Africa and South Asia, Version 3.
CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCFAS). Copenhagen,
Denmark. Available online at: www.ccafs.cgiar.org.
• International Potato Center. Mother & Baby Trial Design. Evaluation and Data Collection Guide. 20
pages.
D. Harahagazwe1,
R. Quiroz1, E. Schulte-
Geldermann1, A. Amele1,
V. Mares1, S. Kuoko2, G.
Sayula2, G. Brush2,
E. Msoka3 and M.
Rimoy3
1International Potato Center (CIP)
2Nothern Zone Agricultural
Research Institute (NZARDI), P.O.
Box 6024, Arusha, Tanzania
3District Agriculture, Irrigation and
Cooperatives Office, Lushoto,
Tanzania
fast track for new potato resilient varieties
Participatory action research in CSVs of Tanzania:
The ToT comprised five training modules that spanned two growing
seasons, three modules during the long rainy season (LRS) and two
in the subsequent short rainy season. The topics covered in LRS
were selected by facilitators in order to cover important aspects of
integrated crop management. The second round of training was
participant-led as topics emerged from the first round.
Acknowledgements
This study is being funded by
CCAFS, CIP and the
Government of the United
Republic of Tanzania.
Day (from 1 November 2014)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Rainfall(mm)
0
10
20
30
40
Kwesine Village
Genotype
ShangiiCIP
398208.2
9
Kid
in
yaCIP
392797.2
2
AsanteC
IP
388676.1
TotalVote(numberofgrains)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Chips - Males
Chips - Females
Boiled potatoes - Males
Boiled potatoes - Females
Maringo Village
Genotype
Asante
CIP
388676.1CIP392797.2
2
Kid
in
ya
ShangiiCIP398208.2
9
TotalVote(numberofgrains)
0
10
20
30
40
Chips - Males
Chips - Females
Boiled potatoes - Males
Boiled potatoes - Females
Genotype
CIP388676.1C
IP
398208.2
9CIP392797.2
2
Shangii
Asante
Kid
in
ya
FreshTuberYield(t.ha-1)
0
10
20
30
40
50
2014 Long rainy season
2014 Short rainy season
Late Blight Resistance/tolerance
Genotype
C
IP
398208.2
9
Asante
O
bam
a
Shangii
C
IP
388676.1
C
IP
300055.3
2
CIP392797.2
2
C
IP
390478.9
C
IP
397073.7
Kid
in
ya
TotalVote(numberofgrains)
0
20
40
60
80
100
Females
Males
Days after planting
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Dailyaveragetemperature(0C)
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
LRS2014
SRS2014
Contact:
d.harahagazwe@cgiar.org