Ecuador
June 2009Ecuador's
National Institute for
Agricultural Research (INIAP), through its National Program
of Andean Legumes and Grains, released three new bean varieties
applying the CIAL participatory methodology, designed by
CIAT, and using plant
material developed by this Center.
The three varieties—INIAP-429 Paragachi Andino, INIAP-430
Portilla, and INIAP-480 Rocha—were released to farmers of the
provinces of Carchi and Imbabura.
Variety Paragachi Andino is a CIAT line (AND 1005); INIAP
Portilla originated from a cross between varieties Yunguilla (a
CIAT line) and Concepción; and INIAP Rocha also comes from a
cross where one of the parental materials comes from CIAT.
Using a participatory approach, the three varieties were
selected by local agricultural research committees (CIAL) of the
localities of San Clemente, El Tambo, San Vincente de Pusir,
Tambatú, Caldera, Piquiucho, and La Concepción, located in the
valleys of Chota and Mira.
"It's excellent news to know that our methodology continues to
generate large-scale impact", said José Ignacio Roa, who for
many years has been a firm advocate of the CIAL methodology and
has served as trainer in several courses held in different
Ecuadorian communities.
The CIAL methodology was tested for the first time in Pescador
(Cauca) in 1990, and its success was so impressive that it soon
spread to other regions of Colombia and to different Latin
American countries. The methodology is based on the respect for
what rural actors want; they identify the problem, decide what
to do, and then contact potential partners, whether governmental
or private entities.
The CIAL model was so well received in Ecuador that farmers from
Imbabura and Carchi formed an association, called Asocial, and
it was through this association that farmers were able to
participate in the evaluation process of the new varieties.
There are currently 22 CIAL in Ecuador; 11 work with beans in
the valleys of Chota and Mira and 11 experiment with quinoa in
the provinces of Cotopaxi and Bolivar.
"CIALs have had the unconditional support of two Ecuadorian
officials who are convinced of the effectiveness of the
methodology. These are plant breeder Eduardo Peralta, leader of
INIAP's legume program, and his assistant Nelson Mazón", said
Roa.
Other news
from
Instituto Nacional Autónomo de Investigaciones Agropecuarias
(INAIA) |
|
