Seeds of resilience: novel strategies for using crop diversity in climate change adaptation

Findings from the field point to a decline in diversity of local varieties in many countries. Future impacts of climate change are expected to become more pronounced in many parts of the world forcing farmers to change their practices and find crops and varieties better adapted to new wea- ther dynamics. Providing farmers with better access to crop and varietal diversity can strengthen their capacity to adapt to climate change. Under supportive policy and socioeconomic conditions, such strengthened capacity could contribute to greater food availability throughout the year, the production of more nutritious and healthy crops, and income generation. Bioversity International and national research partners are implementing a comprehensive seed resilience strategy allowing farmers to access and use plant genetic diversity more effectively in the context of climate change adaptation. The strategy combines the use of climate and crop modelling tools and participatory research methods. The strategy has eight steps: 1. Situational analysis and planning 2. Data preparation and selection of software 3. Climate change analysis and identification of germplasm 4. Germplasm acquisition 5. Field experimentation 6. Germplasm conservation 7. Participatory evaluation 8. Knowledge sharing and communication. In Uganda, a team of scientists and extension agents used the strategy to diversify farmers’ access to beans, one of the country’s key crops for food security. Using climate change scenario analysis, DIVA-GIS and crop suitability modelling the team identified bean accessions with good climate adaptation potential from three sources: (i) the national gene banks in Rwanda and Uganda, (ii) communities in both countries and (iii) international genebanks. In 2014, the first phase of participatory field trials with farmers was realised using materials from the national genebank and locally adapted varieties. In addition, accessions from international genebanks were requested and then tested in the field in 2015. A third source of novel germplasm are farmers’ own varieties. Based on an exchange visits between farmers of community seed banks in Uganda Rwanda, a number of varieties of beans were identified and tested in 2016. Resources: http://www.seedsresourcebox.or

Realizing farmers' rights through community seed banks in Uganda: experiences and policy issues

The paper interrogates the role of community seed banks (CSBs) and related initiatives in the realization of farmers' rights in Uganda and the policy and legislative space for the functioning of CSBs. The study finds that although community seed banks are a relatively new phenomenon in Uganda, there have been community based seed banking initiatives that have been instrumental in the realization of farmers' rights to save and exchange seed and information; and especially providing a wide range of diversity of seed to farmers and improving access to good quality seed. Through partnerships with local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), research and government institutions, CSBs have received technical and financial support for conservation and seed production activities, thus enabling them to participate in seed value-chains through production of quality declared seed (QDS) and participate in decision making. Although the policy and legal environment for the functioning of CSBs is not well defined, various pieces of draft legislation provide positively for ways through which CSBs can be recognized and supported for the benefit of farmers. The study recommends that CSBs activities should be rolled-out to other parts of the country through a government financing mechanism that is suggested in the draft national policy on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. The development of a policy and legal environment that includes an act that has provisions for the recognition of CSBs and the protection of farmers' rights is important. Secondary information, interviews with key informants and Focus Group discussions (FGDs) are the primary sources of data used

Targeted capture of Dreb subfamily genes as candidates genes for drought tolerance polymorphism in natural population of Coffea canephora.

Coffea canephora, (Robusta), provides 33% of worldwide coffee production, 80% and 22% of Ugandan and Brazilian coffee production, respectively. Abiotic stress such as temperature variations or drought periods, aggravated by climate changes, are factors that affect this production. This sensitivity threatens both the steady supply of quality coffees and the livelihood of millions of people producing coffee. The natural genetic diversity of C. canephora offer a potential for detecting new genetic variants related to drought adaptation. In particular, modifications occurring in genes related to abiotic stress tolerance make these genes candidate for breeding programs in order to enhance the resilience to climate change

ASSESSMENT OF COMMON BEAN CULTIVAR DIVERSITY IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES OFCENTRAL UGANDA

Common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) L. diversity has been nurtured by Uganda\u2019s farming communities and in return it has sustained their livelihoods for over 40 decades. Despite the farmers\u2019 invaluable effort in perpetuating this diversity, there is limited overall understanding of its status and dynamics on-farm. This study assessed the amount and status of the cultivar diversity in selected rural and peri-urban communities of central Uganda. Data were purposefully collected from 120 households through household surveys, focus group discussions and direct field observations. Diversity measures, status of the cultivars and morphological distinctiveness were estimated by Simpson\u2019s index of diversity (1-D), four cell analysis and cluster analysis, respectively. A total of 24 cultivars were observed in the whole study, and both communities had equal cultivar richness.There were no significant differences in the number of cultivars maintained by the farmers in the rural and those in the peri-urban communities. Both communities had substantial cultivar evenness (0.81 and 0.82 in rural and peri-urban, respectively), although only 19% of cultivars were grown on relatively larger areas and by many households. Impressively, at least 30% of the households in each community nurtured different sets of cultivars. We thus recommend the need to put in place incentive mechanisms that can encourage a section of the community to continue conserving P. vulgaris diversity on-farm to ensure its continued evolution and adaptation to changing biotic and abiotic factors.La diversit\ue9 du haricot commun ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) L. a \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9velopp\ue9 par des communaut\ue9s de fermiers en Ouganda et, en retour, la culture a durablement contribu\ue9 au bien \ueatre familial pendant plus de quarante ans. Malgr\ue9 des efforts consid\ue9rables des fermiers dans la perp\ue9tuation de cette diversit\ue9, la compr\ue9hension de sa situation et dynamique en champ reste limit\ue9e. Cette \ue9tude a \ue9valu\ue9 le nombre et la situation de la diversit\ue9 des cultivars dans des communaut\ue9s s\ue9lectionn\ue9es en milieux rural et p\ue9ri-urbain de l\u2019Ouganda central. Les donn\ue9es d\u2019\ue9taient collect\ue9es de fa\ue7on raisonn\ue9e dans 120 m\ue9nages \ue0 travers une enqu\ueate de m\ue9nage, les groupes de discussions et des observations directes sur terrain. Des mesures de diversit\ue9, la situation des cultivars et la diff\ue9renciation morphologique \ue9taient estim\ue9es par l\u2019index de diversit\ue9 de Simpson (1-D), quatre analyses de cellules et l\u2019analyse de groupes, respectivement. Un total de 24 cultivars \ue9tait observ\ue9 dans toute l\u2019\ue9tude, et toutes les deux communaut\ue9s avaient une richesse \ue9gale de cultivars. Aucune diff\ue9rence significative n\u2019\ue9tait trouv\ue9e dans le nombre de cultivars maintenu par les fermiers ruraux et p\ue9ri-urbains. Les deux communaut\ue9s avaient un nombre substantiellement invariant de cultivars (0.81 et 0.82 en milieu rural et p\ue9ri-urbain, respectivement), malgr\ue9 que 19% seulement des cultivars \ue9taient cultiv\ue9s relativement sur des vastes \ue9tendues et par plusieurs m\ue9nages. De fa\ue7on impressionnante, au moins 30% des m\ue9nages dans chaque communaut\ue9 avaient d\ue9velopp\ue9 diff\ue9rents types de cultivars. Ceci d\ue9montre le besoin de mettre en place des m\ue9canismes d\u2019encouragement des communaut\ue9s afin de continuer la conservation en milieux paysan de la diversit\ue9 du P. vulgaris pour assurer son \ue9volution continue et l\u2019adaptation au changement des facteurs biotiques et abiotiques

Networks and coalitions in the implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Uganda

Uganda acceded to the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGTFA) in the year 2003. Despite this, there are still gaps in implementation of the treaty in the country. The article provides insights into the systemic interactions and coalitions among actors in the implementation of the treaty and subsequent barriers to the implementation of the ITPGRFA. Using social network analysis, the interactions of 26 key policy actors are mapped for 4 main expertise networks that are important for implementation of the treaty; that is, the policy direction networks; scientific expertise; financial expertise; and legal networks in order to identify gaps for further action. Findings indicate that the linkages between actors are poor especially in the legal expertise and policy direction networks where the competent authority for the treaty does not have efficient connections with critical and non-critical actors. Many key actors are also excluded from the network leading poor information and resource flows among stakeholders implementing the treaty. In the interim, a memorandum of understanding has been signed by three major institutions that are key to establish clear processes for implementation of the treaty and establishing clear guidelines for access and benefit sharing and clear roles of institutions involved in the policy development and implementation. Key lessons learned from this research are that networks and coalitions are important for fostering information and exchange of expertise to enable effective implementation or domestication of the international treaty (IT). The structured engagement of other non-governmental stakeholders such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and international organizations that provide financial and technical support for various aspects of policy implementation is also important

The use of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris ) traditional varieties and their mixtures with commercial varieties to manage bean fly (Ophiomyia spp .) infestations in Uganda

The bean fly (Ophiomyia spp.) is considered the most economically damaging field insect pest of common beans in Uganda. Despite the use of existing pest management approaches, reported damage has remained high. Forty-eight traditional and improved common bean varieties currently grown in farmers’ fields were evaluated for resistance against bean fly. Data on bean fly incidence, severity and root damage from bean stem maggot were collected. Generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) revealed significant resistance to bean fly in the Ugandan traditional varieties. A popular resistant traditional variety and a popular susceptible commercial variety were selected from the 48 varieties and evaluated in pure and mixed stands. The incidence of bean fly infestation on both varieties in mixtures with different arrangements (systematic random versus rows), and different proportions within each of the two arrangements, was measured and analysed using GLMMs. The proportion of resistant varieties in a mixture and the arrangement type significantly decreased bean fly damage compared to pure stands, with the highest decrease in damage registered in the systematic random mixture with at least 50 % of resistant variety. The highest reduction in root damage, obvious 21 days after planting, was found in systematic random mixtures with at least 50 % of the resistant variety. Small holder farmers in East Africa and elsewhere in the world have local preferences for growing bean varieties in genetic mixtures. These mixtures can be enhanced by the use of resistant varieties in the mixtures to reduce bean fly damage on susceptible popular varieties

ASSESSMENT OF COMMON BEAN CULTIVAR DIVERSITY IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES OFCENTRAL UGANDA

Common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) L. diversity has been nurtured by Uganda’s farming communities and in return it has sustained their livelihoods for over 40 decades. Despite the farmers’ invaluable effort in perpetuating this diversity, there is limited overall understanding of its status and dynamics on-farm. This study assessed the amount and status of the cultivar diversity in selected rural and peri-urban communities of central Uganda. Data were purposefully collected from 120 households through household surveys, focus group discussions and direct field observations. Diversity measures, status of the cultivars and morphological distinctiveness were estimated by Simpson’s index of diversity (1-D), four cell analysis and cluster analysis, respectively. A total of 24 cultivars were observed in the whole study, and both communities had equal cultivar richness.There were no significant differences in the number of cultivars maintained by the farmers in the rural and those in the peri-urban communities. Both communities had substantial cultivar evenness (0.81 and 0.82 in rural and peri-urban, respectively), although only 19% of cultivars were grown on relatively larger areas and by many households. Impressively, at least 30% of the households in each community nurtured different sets of cultivars. We thus recommend the need to put in place incentive mechanisms that can encourage a section of the community to continue conserving P. vulgaris diversity on-farm to ensure its continued evolution and adaptation to changing biotic and abiotic factors.La diversité du haricot commun ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) L. a été développé par des communautés de fermiers en Ouganda et, en retour, la culture a durablement contribué au bien être familial pendant plus de quarante ans. Malgré des efforts considérables des fermiers dans la perpétuation de cette diversité, la compréhension de sa situation et dynamique en champ reste limitée. Cette étude a évalué le nombre et la situation de la diversité des cultivars dans des communautés sélectionnées en milieux rural et péri-urbain de l’Ouganda central. Les données d’étaient collectées de façon raisonnée dans 120 ménages à travers une enquête de ménage, les groupes de discussions et des observations directes sur terrain. Des mesures de diversité, la situation des cultivars et la différenciation morphologique étaient estimées par l’index de diversité de Simpson (1-D), quatre analyses de cellules et l’analyse de groupes, respectivement. Un total de 24 cultivars était observé dans toute l’étude, et toutes les deux communautés avaient une richesse égale de cultivars. Aucune différence significative n’était trouvée dans le nombre de cultivars maintenu par les fermiers ruraux et péri-urbains. Les deux communautés avaient un nombre substantiellement invariant de cultivars (0.81 et 0.82 en milieu rural et péri-urbain, respectivement), malgré que 19% seulement des cultivars étaient cultivés relativement sur des vastes étendues et par plusieurs ménages. De façon impressionnante, au moins 30% des ménages dans chaque communauté avaient développé différents types de cultivars. Ceci démontre le besoin de mettre en place des mécanismes d’encouragement des communautés afin de continuer la conservation en milieux paysan de la diversité du P. vulgaris pour assurer son évolution continue et l’adaptation au changement des facteurs biotiques et abiotiques

A risk-minimizing argument for traditional crop varietal diversity use to reduce pest and disease damage in agricultural ecosystems of Uganda

► Local crop diversity was compared to weighted damage index at farm level. ► High levels of varietal diversity and associated knowledge for managing pests and diseases were found. ► Higher numbers of varieties at household level correlate with reduced disease damage variance. ► Indication of the potential of crop varietal diversity to reduce current crop damage. ► Use of varietal diversity on farm can contribute to reducing vulnerability to future infestations. Much of the worlds’ annual harvest loss to pests and diseases occurs as a consequence of crops grown in monocultures, or cultivated varieties with uniform resistance. This uniform resistance is met by the continuing evolution of new races of pests and pathogens that are able to overcome resistance genes introduced by modern breeding, creating the phenomenon of boom and bust cycles. One of the few assets available to small-scale farmers in developing countries to reduce pests and diseases damage is their local crop varietal diversity, together with the knowledge to manage and deploy this diversity appropriately. Local crop varietal diversity of banana and plantain (Musa spp.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) was measured at the community and household levels within farmers’ fields in four agro-ecological areas of Uganda. Resistance of traditional and modern varieties of P. vulgaris to anthracnose, angular leaf spot, and bean fly and of traditional and modern varieties of Musa spp. to black sigatoka, banana weevils and nematodes was assessed from participatory diagnostics of farmer knowledge and cross-site on-farm and on-station trials. By performing cross-site on-farm experiments, it was possible to identify traditional varieties with higher resistance to pest and diseases when grown outside their home sites. Increased diversity of crop varieties, measured by number of varieties (richness) and their evenness of distribution, corresponded to a decrease in the average damage levels across sites and to a reduction of variance of disease damage. In sites with higher disease incidence, households with higher levels of diversity in their production systems had less damage to their standing crop in the field compared to sites with lower disease incidence. The results support what might be expected of a risk-minimizing strategy for use of diversity to reduce pest and disease damage