Production Constraints, Farmers’ Preferred Characteristics of Maize Varieties in the Bimodal Humid Forest Zone of Cameroon and Their Implications for Plant Breeding

Farmers’ preferred traits, production constraints, and adoption factors of improved maize varieties under South-Kivu rainfed agro-ecologies, eastern D.R. Congo: Implication for maize breeding

“…The preference criteria varied from one class to another. These results agreed with other similar studies that revealed differences in farmers' preferences for maize variety attributes(Mafouasson et al, 2020; Yin et al, 2020). The study byMorris and Bellon…”

“…It is, therefore, a stated preference approach to understanding choice processes (Flynn, 2007). For this study, we considered 13 different varietal attributes, selected based on existing literature (Mafouasson et al, 2020;Marenya et al, 2021;Sibiya et al, 2013). To conduct a complete analysis of farmers' preferences, we considered both adopters and non-adopters of improved varieties.…”

“…This situation would be the main reason for the low rate of adoption of improved varieties and the persistence of local varieties that are often degenerated in the region. However, the availability and affordability of improved seeds are key factors in in uencing the adoption of improved varieties (Mafouasson et al, 2020). On the other hand, the preference for seed longevity would be explained by farmers' seed management practices.…”

“…Farmers' preferences and priorities for maize variety attributes differ from one farmer to another and from one agro-ecological zone to another ( Witcombe et al, 2005; Mansaray and Jin, 2019). For example, the work of Mafouasson et al (2020) showed that in Cameroon, farmers' preferences are oriented towards varieties with large grain size, soft grain texture, large ear size, high proli cacy, early maturity, short plants, resistance to lodging, resistance to diseases and reduced post-harvest losses. While in South Africa, the preferred characteristics of maize varieties include high yield and proli cacy, disease resistance, early maturity, white grain color, and drying and shelling qualities (Sibiya et al, 2013).…”

“…Actions should, therefore, be taken to improve farmers' practices of seed storage to ensure they can effectively save quality seed from their harvests to increase availability of seed in the absence of a functional seed delivery system. Studies in Ethiopia, Cameroon(Mafouasson et al, 2020), Burkina Faso(Dao et al, 2015), Ghana (Danso-Abbeam et al, 2017) and Uganda(Mastenbroek et al, 2021) have also demonstrated the importance of maize variety attributes such as yield, disease resistance, early maturity, response to fertilizer, improved seed availability and price of improved seed, in farmers' varietal preference and choice.Preferences for cooking quality and taste were important for farmers in classes 2 and 3. In both classes, these attributes were related to other criteria such as potential yield, early maturity, environmental adaptation, seed longevity, and pest/disease resistance.…”