Browsing by Author "A. Namayanja"

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    Breeding for bean anthracnose resistance: Matching breeding interventions with people’s livelihoods through participatory variety selection
    (Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2013-05-03) S.T. Nkalubo; A. Namayanja; A.M. Ugen; P. Paparu; M. Otim; P. Asete
    The common dry bean is the main source of protein, food and income for the majority of rural smallholder farmers in Uganda especially the women and children, and any constraints hindering its production directly affects these vulnerable groups. Despite its importance, there has been an unmerited decline in bean production over the last few decades as a result of bean anthracnose disease. Breeding for genetic resistance to bean anthracnose and the use of participatory variety selection which aims primarily at accelerating the transfer of new lines to farmers’ fields, are the most practical and economical options for controlling anthracnose and popularising the new varieties to smallholders farmers.The objectives of this study were to introgress anthracnose resistance into existing susceptible market class varieties, generate segregating populations, make selections and conduct farmer participatory evaluation trials to identify new bean lines having characteristics that are preferred by both farmers and the market for release as new varieties.A total of 365 new bean lines were generated and 54 of these were introduced to 10 farming communities in four different ecological zones for evaluation using the participatory variety selection approach. Farmers were able to select eight promising lines, which were ear- marked for new variety release. Out of the eight lines, two have already been released.It can thus be concluded that the participatory variety selection acts as an entry point into the farming communities where new varieties are introduced to farmers. Furthermore, participatory variety selection is reliant on farmer preferences and rural livelihood dynamics.
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    Uptake of resistant varieties and integrated management packages for bean root rot disease in western Uganda
    (Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2015-05-10) L. Nasirumbi Sanya; M.A. Ugen; F. Opio; J.I. Mugagga; A. Namayanja
    The common dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most widely grown food legume in Uganda, however, its production in western Uganda has been threatened by the bean root rot diseases. Resistant varieties and integrated soil and crop management package for the bean root rot disease, developed by the National Beans Research Programme, were promoted from 2003 to 2007 in Bushenyi and Kisoro Districts that were most susceptible to this disease. This study was conducted to assess the level of uptake of technologies and practices promoted in the target area, and factors influencing the decision to adopt. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire that was administered to 160 purposively selected bean farmers. The Poisson regression model was used to determine the factors influencing the number of technologies and practices used. The study revealed that majority (95.0%) of the bean farmers had adopted at least one of the improved bean varieties promoted. The results further show that NABE 12C, NABE 13 and NABE 14 were the most preferred improved varieties. Preference was mainly attributed to high yield, palatability and short cooking time. Use of improved and resistant varieties (95.0%), sowing of one seed per hole (72.5%) and Farm Yard Manure (71.3%) were the most commonly used in management of the bean root rot disease. Analysis of the sequential combination of technologies adopted reveal that most farmers in Kisoro district used improved varieties + Farm Yard Manure + Row planting + One seed per hole; while the farmers in Bushenyi mainly used a combination of improved varieties + Farm Yard Manure +Crop Rotation + One seed per hole. Poisson results indicated that adoption was significantly and positively influenced by access to bean information, number of times a farmer was trained, participation in farmer to farmer seed loan scheme, record management and the price of improved varieties. Age of household head had a negative influence and significantly reduced the expected number of technologies and practices used in the management of BRR disease by 20%. To sustain the use of bean root rot management technologies and practices, there is need to support establishment of community-based seed production systems which have already shown evidence of success in other areas and crops to ensure availability of sufficient quantities of seed and access to resistant varieties; support rural enterprises which provide inputs; and ensure farmers’ continued access to information though use of different channels and media.