Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

Section 7
PARTICIPATORY PLANT BREEDING, SEED PRODUCTION, HARVEST,
AND POST-HARVEST MANAGEMENT
Two systems of plant breeding may be distinguished: (1) farmers’ breeding system (or
informal); and (2) institutional breeding system (or formal). The farmers’ breeding system
is characterized by dynamic seed flows and continuous on-farm selection (usually mass
selection). The institutional or formal type of breeding system is characterized by strategic approaches
and sophisticated selection methods. These two systems are in many ways complementary and need
each other to become stronger. The farmers’ breeding system can reach its full potential more
effectively with support from researchers of breeding institutions. Similarly, breeding institutions
can gain considerable benefits in working together with farmer communities through participatory
plant breeding (PPB). Decentralized breeding or participatory plant breeding (PPB) was highlighted
during the last two decades. PPB promises a way of strengthening crop improvement within farming
communities 235 . Its aims are 236 to: (a) develop locally adapted technologies for crop improvement
and distribute them more effectively to and among farming communities; (b) improve conservation
and use of crop genetic diversity; and (c) support local capacity development for generating such
genetic resources, thus contributing to empowerment or self-help of farmers and other stakeholders.
On the other hand, on-farm seeds produced by farmer himself are still the most common source
of available seeds for small vegetable farmers and home gardeners in the Philippines and many
developing countries. Very often, seeds produced are of poor quality. Frequently, fruits harvested
for seeds are those that were missed during harvesting for fresh vegetables and the leftovers at the
end of production season. Little or no positive selection is carried out to choose the best plants
and fruits for seed production. Oftentimes, plants at the end of production season are weak, thus,
producing seeds that are not physically and physiologically fully mature. In this regard, farmers can
perform variety rehabilitation to restore a local variety to its original or desired level of performance.
In seed rehabilitation, farmers learn to improve their selection skills by identifying lost traits and
selecting for desired plants in their populations 237 .
235 Smolders, H. (ed) 2006. Enhancing Farmers’Role in Crop Development: Framework Information for Participatory Plant Breeding in Farmer Field Schools.
Participatory Enhancement of Diversity of Genetic Resources in Asia (PEDIGREA) Publication. Center for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands. pp.
9-16.
236 Weltzien, E., Smith, M.E., Meitzner, L.S., and Sperling, L. 2003. Technical and institutional issues in participatory plant breeding from the perspective of
formal plant breeding; A global analysis of issues, results, and current experience. CIAT: PPB Monograph No. 1. 208p.
237 Weltzien, E., Smith, M.E., Meitzner, L.S., and Sperling, L. 2003. Technical and institutional issues in participatory plant breeding from the perspective of
formal plant breeding; A global analysis of issues, results, and current experience. CIAT: PPB Monograph No. 1. 208p.
347