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- Title
How Can Pairing Quantitative With Qualitative Data Collection Methods Better Elicit Rice Varietal Selection? Evidence From Burundi.
- Authors
Ng'endo, Mary; Nduwimana, Julien; Villanueva, Donald; Demont, Matty
- Abstract
Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS) is the selection by stakeholders of varieties in advanced testing stages by plant breeding programs. With Burundi as a case example, this study incorporated qualitative Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) into the quantitative PVS structure so as to elicit deeper insights into rice trait preferences and illuminate broader issues affecting rice farmers. During two consecutive years, this study surveyed 174 participants across six stakeholder groups (administrators, farmers, custom millers, researchers, seed producers, and traders) in three locations. There were statistically significant associations in rice trait preferences across locations, participating stakeholders, and genders, highlighting preference alignment. Moreover, multiple traits were desired simultaneously, beyond productivity-related traits, and sometimes contradicting researchers' preferences, especially in rainfed systems. By moving beyond quantitative PVS preference scores as being the only way of gathering trait preference data, this study has shown how the incorporation of qualitative FGDs into the PVS structure can elicit deeper insights on trait preferences and illuminate broader issues affecting rice farmers, which when solved can accelerate the momentum in widespread adoption of new rice varieties. Plain Language Summary: Eliciting rice varietal preferences in Burundi The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the power of pairing quantitative with qualitative data collection methods to elicit rice varietal preferences in Burundi. By combining FGDs with PVS, we show the multiple traits desired, beyond production-related traits, and sometimes contradicting breeders' preferences. With the key limitation and areas for improvement hinging on the need for more robust quantitative PVS that goes beyond binary scores as well as the need for more time-efficient FGDs by use of local language that reduces translation times, it is more feasible to move beyond quantitative PVS preference scores as being the only way of gathering trait preference data. This study has shown how the incorporation of qualitative FGDs into the PVS structure can elicit deeper insights on trait preferences and illuminate broader issues affecting rice farmers, which when solved can accelerate the momentum in widespread adoption of new rice varieties.
- Subjects
BURUNDI; RICE varieties; STAKEHOLDER analysis; PLANT breeding; DRY farming
- Publication
SAGE Open, 2023, Vol 13, Issue 4, p1
- ISSN
2158-2440
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/21582440231218579