Effect of Participatory Rating on Choice of Vitamin A Biofortified Maize Varieties

Participatory identification and selection of vitamin A biofortified maize (VAM) was conducted in Northern Zambia with a goal of allowing farmers to rate the varieties using their own criteria. To do this, focus group discussions (FGDs) were held before the start of the agricultural season and a list of the physiological attributes that farmers consider important for maize production was drawn and scored using a participatory approach. Farmers were followed pre- and post-harvest for personal interviews. Results show that there are no differences in the score for attributes between gender. Statistical tests indicate that it is the overall rating for attributes that determines choice and not any individual attribute on itself while overall rating is in turn determined by only observed good attributes and not bad attributes. Crop breeders will need to design ‘bundles’ of attributes to attract farmers to choose certain varieties while seed marketers will need to focus on positive attributes in their promotional strategies.