This document summarizes preliminary results from a pilot project that used DNA fingerprinting to track the diffusion of improved wheat and maize varieties in Ethiopia. The results show that farmer recalls underestimated adoption rates compared to DNA analysis, with adoption of improved varieties being 9.3% for wheat and 47% for maize based on farmer knowledge. DNA fingerprinting identified adoption as 96% for wheat and 64% for maize. The implications are that DNA fingerprinting could more accurately estimate varietal adoption, seed demand, and program impact if scaled up and integrated into national crop surveys and programs.
31st World Press Freedom Day Conference in Santiago.
DNA Finger Printing of Maize and Wheat in Ethiopia
1. Tracking Diffusion of Improved Wheat
and Maize Varieties with DNA Finger
Printing in Ethiopia: Pilot Project
Preliminary results
Regional Dialogue on Strengthening African Seed
System
July 14 – 25 2014
2. Outline
Introduction
Some facts about wheat and maize production in Ethiopia
Wheat and maize varieties released to date
Farmer knowledge of wheat and maize varieties
Need for DNA finger printing assisted adoption study
Methodology
Survey instruments
DNA data application
Results
Perceived adoption of wheat and maize varieties
Varietal adoption estimates based on DNA finger printing techniques
Comparison of adoption estimates from farmer recalls and DNA finger
printing estimates
Implications
3. Introduction
Maize and Wheat has been recognized as a
strategic food security crop in the country’s
attempt to bridge the persistent food gap
Compared to other cereal crops grown:
Maize is first in terms of volume of production- 6.1
million tons (CSA, 2012)
Second in terms of area – 2.1 million ha (CSA, 2012)
The highest in productivity – 2.9 tons/ha (CSA, 2012)
Produced in all regions of the country (but relatively less in
Afar and Somali Regional States)
Wheat is the fourth important cereal crop in terms
of area and volume of production – 1.4 million ha and
2.9 million tons
4. Introduction (cont…)
In view of the importance of maize and wheat on
the country’s food security a lot of resources has
been invested to generate and make available
improved varieties and complementary
technologies
Both maize and wheat research programs are
relatively successful
Both have strong collaboration with CGIAR
centers (CIMMYT, ICARDA)
6. Number of improved wheat varieties released by year of
release, Ethiopia
Year Released Improved Wheat varieties (Number)
Bread wheat Durum wheat Total
Before 1981 3 - 3
1981-1990 3 1 4
1991-2000 15 8 23
2001-2010 25 20 45
Total 46 39 85
Source: MoA, 2012
Introduction (cont…)
7. Introduction (cont…)
These improved varieties with associated crop
management practices have been made available
to farmers
Sasakawa Global (SG 2000) initiative
the participatory demonstration and training
extension system- PADETES
Scaling up efforts of EIAR and RARIs
Hence, uptake of the improved varieties by
farmers and their impact on HH welfare remained
a concern to all involved in the generation and
transfer of wheat technologies
8. Adoption studies before 1990
the first technology adoption studies conducted in
the 1970s to assess the successes of the
Comprehensive Integrated Rural Development
Projects and the Minimum Package Program
Most of the early adoption studies reported rather
low awareness and limited adoption of improved
varieties
weak research-extension linkage were identified as
a major bottleneck for the low awareness and
adoption of improved agricultural technologies
Introduction (cont…)
9. Adoption studies 1990 to 2010
The studies reported quite variable adoption
rates ranging from zero as high as 74% for
improved maize varieties
Most of the adopting farmers relied on recycled
seeds, and came from old varieties
Major drawback of the studies were
• Highly location specific
• Around research centers
• Project intervention areas
Fail to allow generalizations indispensable for
policy making at national and regional levels
Introduction (cont…)
10. Farmer knowledge of improved varieties is
limited casting doubt on the level of
precision of adoption estimates based on
farmer recalls
The challenges inherent in identifying
individual varieties by the farmers
demanded exploring better approaches
Introduction (cont…)
11. Objective
Validate the application of DNA
fingerprinting techniques in tracking
varietal adoption for maize and wheat in
Ethiopia
Technical feasibility
Logistical feasibility
12. Methodology
Conducted in three zones of Oromiya: East
Wollega, West Shewa and West Arsi;
The pilot research had three main areas of data
generation
The first is related with the collection of seed samples
from CSA crop cuts
The second involved the collection of samples of
reference materials from breeders and seed enterprises
The third is questionnaire based data collection from
sample HHs from whom crop cut samples were taken
14. Survey Instrument
DNA data application
Correlation of sample DNA with reference material
greater than 70% was considered as threshold for
identification of varieties
Methodology (cont…)
16. Main findings - Wheat
Farmer response(recalls): 62% of the farmers
adopted improved wheat varieties
DNA Finger Printing: 96% of the farmers
used improved wheat
Only 9.3% of the farmers were able to
correctly indentify the improved wheat
varieties culitvated
19. Main findings - Maize
Farmer response (recalls): 56% HHs used
improved maize varieties
DNA results: 64% of the farmers used
improved maize varieties
Only 47% of the farmers were able to
correctly indentify the improved maize
varieties they cultivated (all for hybrid users)
20. Implications - technical
Farmers report underestimate the use of improved
varieties compared to DNA results:
62% 96% for wheat
56% 64% for maize
Very few farmers correctly know what type of
varieties they grow
9.3% for wheat
47% for maize (all for hybrids)
21. Implications - Technical
The observed difference between farmer response and DNA
fingerprinting results in reported/identified varieties suggest
further investigation of agro-ecological targeting of
varieties
High potential for wider application of the DNA
fingerprinting technique for estimating more accurately
varietal adoption rates, assessing seed demand, estimate
impact of crop improvement programs by linking with
Agricultural Sample Survey (AgSS) including GIS information,
respondents socioeconomic data etc.,
Ethiopian Soil Information System (EthioSIS)
The DNA capacity could also help in resolving seed quality
disputes that has become common recently
22. Implications – Logistics
The logistical arrangement for DNA sample
and data collection was found to be relatively
efficient
Linking the data collection efforts with CSA
AgSS made the approach cost effective and
nationally representative
The National Biotechnology Lab
demonstrated commendable professional
performance
23. Implications – Improvement Areas
Better alignment with CSA AgSS in terms of timing,
adjustment of questionnaire contents, logistic of sample
exchange, etc
Need further strengthen the capacity of the National
Biotechnology Lab both in terms of physical facilities and
human resources
Develop scaling strategy to guide the application of the
approach
How to mainstream in the national programs (CSA, EIAR, partners
etc)
How frequently to undertake
Crops to be included
