English - McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crop Research Program

McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crops Research Project No: 06-741
farmers, such as maturity period, plant stature (whether climbing or creeper), seed size, stay green
characteristics (for prolonged leaf harvesting), seed size and pest resistance. Participants resolved that
some of these preferences were minor and suitable for backyard crop for home consumption. It was thus
resolved that researchers should focus on high yield and pest resistance and commercially desirable
traits such as large seeds. Farmers should be advised to plant small patches of local varieties for
vegetables and green pods.
At the Lilongwe Workshop the research team established links with IITA, which has just won a grant to
work on cowpea. The initial collaboration will cover scaling out issues and market and preferences
surveys. At the Zomba workshop we established a partnership with World Vision Area Development
project officer to facilitate seed supply for groups of farmers for scaling out. They already have
experience on community-based seed production. Similar relationships were established with the
District Agriculture Development Officer for Phalombe.
4.5 Cowpea market survey
This work has been conducted and results are being analyzed, a separate report will be prepared. Very
preliminary results were shared during workshops on cowpea market value chain.
4.6. Policy workshop on seeds
The Malawi country lead participated in a workshop bringing together relevant policy officials to
discuss issues that can facilitate the scaling out of legume seed systems and Integrated Soil Fertility
Management. The workshop was jointly organized by the McKnight Legume Best Bets and Seed
Systems projects.
The major policy issue on seed systems, which was a matter of concern, was the seed registration and
certification process. The key concern was t based on the fact that process is too centralized. A seed
grower is required to register at Chitedze Research Station, and only the same can certify. The
registration fee is high, particularly for small holder farmers or community group whose cultivated area
is 1-2 ha. The registration fees and inspection costs will erode profits. The argument was that legumes,
self pollinated, have simple requirements for isolation, and rouging for disease and off-types can be
done at District level. Any seed not going through the process cannot be packed and sold on shelves,
then killing any entrepreneurship. The dissemination of legume seeds is directly linked ISFM because
the same do make some N additions to soil. These concerns and other suggestion were raised for
consideration by policy makers.
5: Way forward
Based on the above, the project team would like to make the following recommendations for future
research action.
1. Evaluate the lines again this season and earmark entry 21 for release owing to its good Alectra
tolerance and medium yield
2. Noting the lack of resistance to disease and pests across lines, to intensity the work on crop
protection. This work should include clear definitions of critical minimum sprays required to
keep pesticide costs and labour down. Also to intensity studies on use of botanical pesticides
such as neem, moringa, Tephrosia vogelii and others.
3. To refine the issues of time of planting in line with variety maturity periods in order to avoid
pests and for drought management purposes.
4. To intensify incorporation of resistance into the adapted lines and conduct adaptation trials.
5. To extend primary seed support programme to all testing sites and to willing partners.
6. To request for extension of the project with the objective of completing tasks above. To release
new Alectra resistant at the end of renewal, as well as to establish a seed base to support the
scaling out of the new varieties.
41
2009