ON-FARM EVALUATION OF SWEETPOTATO VARIETIES IN ZANZIBAR

摘要

On-farm evaluation of new crop varieties is crucial for speedy adoption of the materials by farmers. In Zanzibar, many experiments on sweetpotato (Ipomea batatas) have been conducted, but mostly on-station, hence, farmers' participation was limited. To improve farmers' adoption of new technologies including acceptance of new high yielding varieties, and for purposes of making recommendation to farmers based on their knowledge, skills and experience, on-farm experiments for testing of six improved sweetpotato varieties was done for two seasons in the Islands of Pemba and Unguja. Eight on-farm sites were involved and participation was highly encouraged. In order to involve many farmers as possible. Farmer Field Schools (FFS) and Farmers Research Groups were used in evaluation of the varieties. The criteria used by farmers to assess the materials included: plant establishment, drought resistance, disease and pest resistance, yield performance, dry matter content and cooking qualities. The seven varieties possess attributes desirable to the farmers. Therefore, all the varieties will be recommended to farmers.