Participatory Selection of Bambara Groundnut Landraces in Burkina Faso: Effects of Gender and Participant Diversity

Zakaria Kiebre (), Mariam Kiebre, Romaric Kiswendsida Nanema, Fanta Reine Sheirita Tietiambou, Clémence Zerbo, Ignace Tonde, Pasquale De Muro, Hamid El Bilali, Filippo Acasto and Jacques Nanema
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Zakaria Kiebre: Department of Plant Biology and Physiology, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, 03 BP 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
Mariam Kiebre: Department of Plant Biology and Physiology, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, 03 BP 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
Romaric Kiswendsida Nanema: Department of Plant Biology and Physiology, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, 03 BP 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
Fanta Reine Sheirita Tietiambou: University Centre of Gaoua, Nazi BONI University, 01 BP 1091, Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso
Clémence Zerbo: Department of Plant Biology and Physiology, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, 03 BP 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
Ignace Tonde: Department of Plant Biology and Physiology, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, 03 BP 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
Pasquale De Muro: Department of Economics, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy
Hamid El Bilali: International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
Filippo Acasto: Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
Jacques Nanema: Programme Agrinovia, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, 03 BP 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 16, 1-20

Abstract: The centre of origin of Bambara groundnut (BGN; Vigna subterranea L.) is Western Sub-Saharan Africa. Due to its high nutritional value and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, this neglected and underutilised species has recently gained significant attention. However, BGN production faces several challenges, including a lack of quality varieties. This study describes a selected core collection based on phenotypic traits, investigates relevant selection criteria and identifies a set of landraces according to participants’ preferences. A core collection of landraces was generated, described, and then subjected to participatory varietal selection. Through individual semi-structured interviews, key selection criteria were identified. Focus group discussions were organised to explore group criteria and to support and validate information from personal interviews. The varietal selection involved choosing three landraces per participant. The results highlighted that seed colour, seed size, cultural value, market value, seed taste, storage, and seed cooking duration were the main selection criteria; however, specific trait preferences varied by gender and participants. Two of 14 selected BGN landraces were considered by the panel of evaluators to be most suitable for recommendation to growers and breeders. They can be disseminated in BGN production regions and used for plant breeding.

Keywords: breeding; food security; NUS; smart agriculture; SUSTLIVES (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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