There is growing awareness of the unique and important role smallholder farmers around the world play in conserving, using and enhancing biodiversity. Conventional breeding has created a separation between farmers and specialised breeders. Participatory plant breeding (PPB) is a field of action developed over the past 25-30 years to overcome this separation, and reunite farmers with breeding activities. The report provides a brief background to plant breeding in general, looking at farmer historical roles; the rise of breeding as a specialised activity; an historical overview of plant breeding in Africa; trade-offs and limitations of formal breeding; and contemporary challenges to farmers’ historical roles in biodiversity conservation and adaptation. The report then provides a background and overview of PPB. It includes an introduction to PPB and comparison with conventional breeding; reflections on participation, including a critique and consideration of types of participation; and a brief historical background to PPB and current projects. This report reflects on key successes and challenges from the literature. It concludes with short reflections on key issues for further consideration.
Also available in
French and in
Spanish
