Farmers’ participatory breeding of Lablab (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet): A nutritional, food security and climate smart crop in northern Tanzania

Abstract

Farmer participatory breeding is considered an alternative technique to conventional breeding. Farmers play a major role in germplasm conservation, maintenance and selection of preferred traits especially in neglected and under-utilized crops such as Lablab (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet). The current study focused on examining the farmers’ practices and production constraints in Northern Tanzania. The study was done in an on-going agro-morphological study in Northern Tanzania. Thirty-one farmers from Babati, Karatu, Kondoa, Same and Arusha were involved in the study during the podding stage of lablab accessions. Semi-structured questionnaires and focused group discussions were conducted to understand the farmers’ socio-demographic characteristics, practices, production constraints and trait preference. Most of the farmers utilize lablab for various purposes while also consuming a combination of the crop parts. Most farmers use farmer saved seeds for subsequent cropping seasons. Most appropriate period to sell their produce is October- December with majority of farmers selling through middle men. Pests and diseases are the major impediment in lablab production with aphids prevalent in the field and bruchids during storage. Trait development in lablab should focus on developing pest and disease resistant varieties to overcome the burden of pest attacks. Breeding of improved varieties should also be emphasized to avoid the use of farmer saved seeds. Lablab improvement will pave way for increased use, consumption and production by the farmers in Tanzania.