Diagnostic Methods For Breeding Pearl Millet With Farmers In Rajasthan

Abstract

The role of local farmers in ICRISAT's pearl millet improvement project for Rajasthan has
\nchanged: from unidentifiedsuppliers oflocalgermplasm to the base materialof a formal breeding
\nprogram, to active collaborators in selection and variety development. On-farm trials, designed
\nto expose farmers to a wide range of diversity for traits that the local landraces do not'possess,
\nprovided the starting point for this change in farmers' roles.
\nFarmers' evalua tions of this new diversity have provided insight into theirpreferences for specific
\ntraits and their production objectives, thus allowing the breeding program to focus on improving
\ntraits of primay interest for farmers in the target region. Farmers from different regions, and
\nfarmers representing different socialgroups prefer different traits and place different emphasis
\non yield stability versus maximizing yield in favorable years.
\nInterested farmers have selected among a widerrange of advanced experin~entavl arieties in onstation
\ntrials. Their selections reflect the needs of their conlmunities and production conditior)s.
\nFarmers' traditional strategies for seed selection andpreservation vary among individuals willlin
\na village and across regions. Farn?ers are exploiting the variability generated by the natural
\noutcrossing between the local landraces and the experitnental cultivars. An initial on-station
\nevaluation of the effect of this selection indicates that farmers are selecting elfeclively for
\nimproved productivity.