New bean seeds and the struggle for their dissemination
2007
Almekinders, C.J.M. | Aguilar, E. | Herrera, R.
The northern region of Nicaragua has always been an important bean and maize producing area. But a widespread presence of the Golden Mosaic Virus made it impossible to grow beans in the last years. A Participatory Plant Breeding programme started in 1999, aiming to develop new bean varieties that would fit the ecological conditions and farmers' own specific demands. After a series of evaluation trials, different "champion" varieties were selected and then multiplied. This article describes the process, and the attempts that followed to distribute the seeds widely. In spite of the difficulties, the project has been successful, boosting farmers' confidence, establishing linkages and, in general terms, helping all actors "move in a positive direction".
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