Informe preliminar sobre la aceptación de BAT 1297 en la zona cafetera de Caldas

Forty-four surveys were conducted on farmers growing the bean variety BAT 1297 in the department of Caldas, Colombia, and on prices in Mercaldas in the city of Manizales. This variety was found to very profitable when planted in association with coffee (both with and without agrochemicals) or with cassava, and in monoculture. Most farmers (76 percent) were satisfied with its yields, ranging between 25 and 29 kg per kilo of seed. `BAT 1297` accounted for 40 percent of the market in Mercaldas, that is, more than any other variety. The study indicated that 86 percent of farmers will continue to plant `BAT 1297` if the market is guaranteed, but only 14 percent would plant it for personal consumption. Among the reasons stated by farmers for planting `BAT 1297`, 35 percent were taking advantage of the ratoon of the coffee crop; 20 percent planted it as a trial; 16 percent because of a recommendation from FEDECAFE, and 14 percent because it fixes nitrogen. More than half of the farmers (53 percent) reported problems with pests and disease

La adopción de nuevas variedades de frijol en Costa Rica: logros y desafíos

Results of a survey of 159 farmers in southern Costa Rica indicate that the new bean varieties Talamanca and Brunca are widely adopted. This report analyzes the factors determining their success. The role played by seed availability is considered. Farmers evaluated these varieties in terms of yield, plant architecture, and disease tolerance. Adoption was greater in the planted system than in the covered system. The economic analysis of both systems attempted to determine why the planted system is displacing the covered system by examining land use and costs and returns of the two production systems. The covered bean system is used more by large-scale farmers, whereas the planted system is relatively more important among small farmer

Climate proofing agricultual research investments

The case for impending climate change is now proven. Governments can decide, by their action or inaction, to what extent the change will occur; the International Agriculture Research Community (IARC) will have no say in this whatsoever. It is up to the IARC to try to maintain objectives in the face of the possible scenarios. In this paper we discuss the various types of agricultural research projects in terms of their time to fruition and the expected longevity of their results. We look at the information requirements for ensuring that project products have the necessary lifetimes to justify the investments in the research. We show that strategies differ depending on the type of research that is undertaken. Basic research into genetic traits and capacities within the available germplasm has to be planned in the long term with outcomes in mind. The vulnerability of the populations and agricultural systems that use developments from this basic research now places its priority setting in a changing climate and world concept. Ensuring that the germplasm is available for use has taken on a critical new importance with recent studies. Germplasm banks comprise a small fraction of what we will be relying on for the future. Well over 90% of useful genetic variability may still be in the wild. This has to be considered carefully in setting out research objectives. Plant breeders, who will put together the results of the basic research into useful packages, now have an uncertain target to aim for when regarding future climate conditions. They may not be able to choose their testing sites in present climates to target agricultural populations that will be using their products in the future. Agronomic and agricultural development projects face the most difficult task. How do we develop stable farming systems in an environment that is not only unstable, but also changing so slowly that the farmers cannot see, or even envisage, the changes. These are some examples of the problem. The paper sets out to categorise the types of research and information that will be necessary at all levels. We draw on experience from the CGIAR system and from CIAT in particular. We show that a number of software tools have been developed that can address some of these problems