Farmers’ Perceptions of Rain-Fed Wheat Production Constraints, Varietal Preferences and their Implication to Rain-fed Wheat Breeding in Zambia

Batiseba Tembo, Julia Sibiya, Pangirayi Tongoona, Rob Melis and Mweshi Mukanga
Additional contact information
Batiseba Tembo: Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), Mt. Makulu Research Station, P/B 7, Chilanga, Zambia; African Centre for Crop Improvement, University of KwaZulu-Natal. College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Julia Sibiya: African Centre for Crop Improvement, University of KwaZulu-Natal. College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Pangirayi Tongoona: West African Centre for Crop Improvement, University of Ghana, PMB 30 Legon-Ghana
Rob Melis: African Centre for Crop Improvement, University of KwaZulu-Natal. College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Mweshi Mukanga: Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), Mt. Makulu Research Station, P/B 7, Chilanga, Zambia

Journal of Agriculture and Crops, 2016, vol. 2, issue 12, 131-139

Abstract: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important widely grown food crops worldwide. In Zambia, it is an important cereal crop, second after maize. However, its production amongst the small-scale farmers has declined over the years. To determine the causes of this decline, a participatory rural appraisal was conducted in Mpika district in Zambia as a case study to assess farmers’ perceived constraints and preferences of rain-fed wheat varieties. Focus group discussions, semi-structured questionnaires, scoring and ranking were used. The results showed that wheat is produced both for food and income generation. The average wheat fields were 0.48 ha, with yields averaging 1.5 t ha -1. The major production constraints are lack of improved seed, bird damage, termites, lack of markets and diseases with spot blotch being the most important. Farmers preferred a white coloured grain cultivar, high yielding, resistant to diseases, termite attack and bird damage.

Keywords: Wheat; wheat production constraints; Farmers’ preferences. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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