Participatory Varietal Selection: A Case Study on Small Millets in Karnataka

Abstract

Modern plant breeding has catered more to the needs of rich farmers who could afford high management under
irrigated situations. In contrast, subsistence farmers growing millets in unfavourable environments use low levels
of inputs and have not been benefited by high yielding variety (HYV) technology. In the present study, the usefulness
of the participatory approach for identifying cultivars for harsh environments and acceptable to resource poor farmers
has been demonstrated. In little millet five varieties, viz., CO 2, PRC 3, OLM 20, Sukshema and TNAU 98 were
selected for testing on farmers fields. Trials was conducted at Jekinakatti village of Savanur taluk and Chandapur
Tanda of Ranebennur Taluk during 2002; Harabagonda village of Byadagi Taluk during 2003 in Haveri district.
Simillary, for foxtail millet study was carried out in Metriki, Balukundi (during 2002) and Janekunte village (during
2003) of Bellary District using five varieties, namely, HMT 100-1, RS 118, TNAU 173, Krishnadevaraya and
Narashimharaya and for finger millet, varieties were GPU 26, GPU 28, MR 1, L 5 and Indaf 9. Trials was conducted
at Koda (Hirekerur Taluk) and Bisanahalli (Byadagi Taluk) of Haveri District; Badeladaku (Kudligi Taluk) and
Hirekolach (Hivinahadagali Taluk) of Bellary district Kharif 2002. In Pre- and post harvest Focus Group Discussions
(FGDs) revealed that the variety “Sukshema” in little millet “HMT 100-1” in foxtail millet and “GPU 28” in finger
millet meet the criteria of farmer’s requirement. Farmers also opined that the new variety has better grain and
fodder yield potential and lodging resistance and they would adopt them in future.