Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Another important ingredient of the research approach was the use of participa-
tory rural appraisal (PRA) tools such as transect walks, reconnaissance surveys,
agro-ecosystem analysis, and various forms of stakeholder interviews. Using a
combination of these tools, information was sought about indigenous rice varieties
grown in the valley bottoms by members of the Gore community, with emphasis
on women farmers. Interviews and discussions with farmers were held in a very
relaxed atmosphere and at their convenience in terms of venue and time. Team
members also embarked on transect walks with farmers, during which comments
and explanations about indigenous rice varieties were sought. Throughout the
studies, the team recognized the farmers as equal partners and, in some cases,
farmers were in the lead, effectively dictating the direction and pace of the PTD
process. This approach aroused enthusiasm, interest, and active participation in the
community, who provided information freely and revealed pertinent issues which
otherwise could have been overlooked.
During the first two seasons, much effort was put into observing rice produc-
tion practices and trying to characterize the different varieties. On-farm trials
were also conducted in the 1998 and 1999 rainy seasons to study the character-
istics of two indigenous rice varieties and compare their performance with that
of two improved varieties. The test indigenous rice varieties, namely
asamolgu
and
asakyira
, were selected for initial evaluation by 18 farmers alongside
IR-24 and GR-18, both varieties released by the National Agricultural Research
System (NARS). The size of each experimental plot was 5
5 m and the seed
of each variety was dibbled in the soil at a spacing of 20
20 cm. Mineral
fertilizer was applied at a rate of 60-40-40 kg NPK per hectare. Basal applica-
tion was 15-15-15, and later top-dressing was applied with sulphate of ammo-
nia at the rice tillering stage. Yield and other vital data were collected, analysed,
and documented for both traditional and improved rice varieties. During the
2001 cropping season the research team tried to characterize the indigenous rice
varieties by assisting each woman to grow one or two indigenous rice varieties
of their choice. The exercise was organized along the lines of the farmer field
school (FFS) approach where groups of farmers are brought together to
exchange ideas and learn techniques on the cultivation of a crop. In the case of
Gore women, meetings were organized in the rice fields at different stages of
development of the rice crop to afford them the opportunity of discussing the
rice ecosystem and its challenges. Farmers also made observations on differ-
ences in performance of their respective fields and tried to assign reasons for
such differences in a participatory manner. The researchers also collected agro-
nomic data on each plot, especially maturity period, height, number of panicles,
and paddy yield of each variety.
From the year 2001, steps were taken to replicate the experience with the Gore
women at Kusanaba (a village about 70 km from Gore), where women were
already involved in some form of
in-situ
conservation of indigenous vegetable
and rice varieties.
