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

The role of gender and institutional dynamics in adapting seed systems to climate change: case studies from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

We explore how seed systems enhance access to seeds, and information for climate-change adaptation in farming communities in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, as well as how gender-driven roles and institutional dynamics influence the process. Men and women farmers equally experience climate-change related effects, including drought, short rainy seasons and increased pest and disease incidence. Our study relies on exploratory data analysis of 1001 households surveyed in four sites in 2016. Farmers surveyed preferred early-maturing, heat-tolerant, high-yielding, and pest- and disease-resistant varieties, all important climate-adaptive traits. Seed systems of the focus crops studied are largely informal—overall, 68% women and 62% men use their own seed, indicating women’s higher reliance on ‘informal’ seed and information sources. Only 21% of respondents reported interacting with seed experts who are affiliated with formal organizations. Both formal and informal organizations play a key role in providing access to climate-adapted seed/information, with access for men and women varying across the countries studied. There is a need to support further development of those connections, building on existing social networks. We conclude that inclusive and gender-responsive context- and country-specific seed interventions will ensure equitable outcomes, increase women’s empowerment and strengthen both formal and informal seed systems for more effective climate-change adaptation

Heterogeneity in Nutritional and Biochemical Composition of Cassava Varieties in Uganda

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) has been prioritized by the New Partnership for African Development to spur development in Africa. However, the nutritional and biochemical composition of the cassava diversity has not been adequately assessed to inform the various user needs.  Comparative analysis of macro, micro nutrients and biochemical composition of sixteen varieties of cassava in Uganda was undertaken following standard analytical techniques. Results showed significant differences in macro nutrients (p ≤0.000)  except carbohydrate, starch and amylose contents. With the exception of Calcium and Iron, the varieties were significantly different (p ≤0.000) in micronutrient composition.  The Cyanide and dry matter content were also significantly different (p ≤0.000) among the varieties. Overall, Mukibi, Juguja, Bao, Nigeria,  ranked highest in dry matter, cyanide, macro and micronutrients content, respectively. Therefore varieties differ in nutritional and biochemical composition; information crucial in the development of new varieities and deployment of cassava diversity in various  value chains

Mise en œuvre de façon 'synergique' des mécanismes d'accès et de partage des avantages dans le cadre du Traité sur les ressources phytogénétiques, de la Convention sur la diversité biologique et du Protocole de Nagoya

Le Traité international sur les ressources phytogénétiques pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture (TIRPAA) et la Convention sur la diversité biologique (CDB) engagent leurs Etats-membres à mettre en œuvre des systèmes d'accès et de partage des avantages très différents : d’un côté, le système établi en vertu du TIRPAA vise à renforcer la mise en commun et le partage au niveau international de la diversité génétique ; de l’autre côté, le système de la CDB a pour objectif de maximiser le contrôle souverain de chaque pays sur ses ressources génétiques. La mise en œuvre nationale de ces deux systèmes s'est révélée relativement lente. Ce retard est notamment dû au fait que dans de nombreux pays les décideurs nationaux ne savent pas vraiment comment gérer l'interface entre ces deux systèmes d'accès et de partage des avantages. Sur la base des recherches et des expériences en matière d’élaboration des politiques conduites dans plusieurs pays, les auteurs identifient en premier lieu les questions que les décideurs politiques nationaux doivent aborder et les étapes qu’ils doivent suivre pour la mise en œuvre du Système multilatéral d'accès et de partage des avantages du TIRPAA. En second lieu, les auteurs analysent les points d'intersection, au niveau national, entre le Système multilatéral d'accès et de partage des avantages du TIRPAA et les mécanismes mis en place (ou qui sont actuellement élaborés) en application de la CDB et de son Protocole de Nagoya, récemment adopté. En troisième lieu, les auteurs analysent les facteurs qui contribuent dans de nombreux pays à un manque de coordination entre les institutions publiques nationales chargées de l’environnement et celles chargées de l’agriculture qui ont pour mandat de diriger la mise en œuvre nationale de ces accords internationaux

Crop diversity, climate change adaptation and resilience: good practice cases from Africa

As part of the Integrated Seed Sector Development in Africa (ISSD Africa) program’s activities for 2020, the Agrobiodiversity, seeds and climate change action learning group (Theme 3) documented and analyzed a series of good crop diversification practice cases from Africa, which were published in an ISSD Africa working paper [https:// hdl.handle.net/10568/115012]. This brief presents a synthesis of the working paper

Mobilizing crop diversity for climate change adaptation and resilience: Field experiences from Africa

In recent years, a number of international initiatives have piloted various forms of support for novel configurations of actors to work together to conserve and use agrobiodiversity in sustainable agricultural production systems and to equitably share benefits derived from those activities. These configurations operate at farm, community, national and international levels. Among these initiatives, Bioversity International (now the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT) and partners have researched the effectiveness of using agrobiodiversity, in particular in the form of crop and crop variety diversity, as an adaptive practice. The hypothesis informing this research is that crop diversification can result in positive livelihood outcomes, such as food and nutritional security, income generation and good health. These outcomes, in turn, could lead to (increased) resilience of rural households and communities to environmental, socio- economic and climatic shocks. In this working paper, we present a number of case studies that to a certain extent have “delivered” on this impact pathway. The case studies were compiled during the year 2020, the year that COVID-19 spread across the globe with devastating consequences for countries, communities and households everywhere

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

Community Seedbanks in Uganda: Fostering Access to Genetic Diversity and Its Conservation

Community seedbanks promote conservation and the use of crop genetic diversity, as well as supporting farmer seed systems. This study analyses seed flow and access to crop genetic diversity over time in the Nakaseke, Rubaya, and Kibuga seedbanks of Uganda. The modes of operation of the banks were compared through scrutinizing records of crops and varieties being conserved, quantities of seed distributed, to whom, and quantities returned. The Nakaseke seed bank distributed the highest varietal diversity of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), whereas the Rubaya seedbank distributed the highest quantity of common bean seed, followed by the Kibuga seedbank. There were no significant differences between the type of variety of seed, quantities of seed accessed, and seed returned to the seedbanks by women and men—except for the Nakaseke seedbank, where women returned significantly higher quantities of common bean seed. The Kibuga and Rubaya seedbanks dealt with individual farmers, whereas the Nakaseke seedbank dealt with individual farmers and groups. The extent to which core functions were achieved by a particular seedbank depended on the mode of operation, including actors, management, degree of development, socio-economic setting, among others. Further research is recommended to unpack these factors and come up with the most appropriate combinations for greater seedbank effectiveness

Community Seedbanks in Uganda: Fostering Access to Genetic Diversity and Its Conservation

Community seedbanks promote conservation and the use of crop genetic diversity, as well as supporting farmer seed systems. This study analyses seed flow and access to crop genetic diversity over time in the Nakaseke, Rubaya, and Kibuga seedbanks of Uganda. The modes of operation of the banks were compared through scrutinizing records of crops and varieties being conserved, quantities of seed distributed, to whom, and quantities returned. The Nakaseke seed bank distributed the highest varietal diversity of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), whereas the Rubaya seedbank distributed the highest quantity of common bean seed, followed by the Kibuga seedbank. There were no significant differences between the type of variety of seed, quantities of seed accessed, and seed returned to the seedbanks by women and men—except for the Nakaseke seedbank, where women returned significantly higher quantities of common bean seed. The Kibuga and Rubaya seedbanks dealt with individual farmers, whereas the Nakaseke seedbank dealt with individual farmers and groups. The extent to which core functions were achieved by a particular seedbank depended on the mode of operation, including actors, management, degree of development, socio-economic setting, among others. Further research is recommended to unpack these factors and come up with the most appropriate combinations for greater seedbank effectiveness

Aplicación de mecanismos de acceso y distribución de beneficios que se “refuercen mutuamente” en el marco del Tratado Internacional sobre los Recursos Fitogenéticos, el Convenio sobre la Diversidad Biológica y el Protocolo de Nagoya

Las Partes Contratantes han asumido, en virtud del Tratado Internacional sobre los Recursos Fitogenéticos para la Alimentación y la Agricultura (TIRFAA) y del Convenio sobre la Diversidad Biológica (CDB), el compromiso de establecer sistemas de acceso y distribución de beneficios muy diferentes: en el marco del TIRFAA, el sistema se ha concebido para reunir recursos genéticos en un fondo internacional común y compartir la diversidad genética; en el marco del CDB, el sistema se ha diseñado para que los distintos Estados ejerzan su derecho soberano a controlar debidamente el acceso a los recursos genéticos bajo su jurisdicción. Los progresos respecto a la aplicación a nivel nacional de ambos sistemas han sido relativamente lentos. Ello se debe, entre otros factores, a que los responsables de la adopción de políticas en muchos países no saben a ciencia cierta cómo abordar la interfaz entre estos dos sistemas de acceso y distribución de beneficios. A la luz de la investigación y la experiencia adquirida en materia de formulación de políticas en varios países, se determinan en primer lugar los problemas que los responsables de la formulación de políticas nacionales deberían abordar y las medidas que deberían adoptar a efectos del establecimiento en el plano nacional del sistema multilateral de acceso y distribución de beneficios en virtud del TIRFAA. A continuación, se analizan los puntos de intersección, en el plano nacional, entre el sistema multilateral de acceso y distribución de beneficios del TIRFAA y los mecanismos establecidos (o que se vienen estableciendo) con arreglo al CDB y el Protocolo de Nagoya del Convenio adoptado recientemente. Por último, se analizan los factores que contribuyen en muchos países a la falta de coordinación entre los organismos públicos de medio ambiente y de agricultura que tienen el mandato de velar por la aplicación a nivel nacional de estos acuerdos internacionales