Publication Type
Journal Article
Publication Date (Issue Year)
2022
Journal Name
African Crop Science Journal
Abstract
Swift delivery of quality seeds to farming communities is a fundamental step in mainstreaming the value chain of orphan crops. The objective of this study was to characterise seed production and delivery systems of the orphan Kersting’s groundnut (KG) [Macrotyloma geocarpum (Harms) Maréchal & Baudet] and their influence on seed quality in Benin. A survey was conducted among 305 farmers from the major KG growing areas in Benin. A total of 60 seed samples were collected from different sources (farmer own seed, local markets and agro-dealers) for quality tests. The results showed that seed sources, acquisition modes and perceived quality differed significantly (P< 0.01) among gender groups and with farming experience. Majority of farmers (74.93%) perceived seeds acquired from the local markets and seed stored in non-hermetic conditions as of poor quality compared to seeds sourced from their own stock and stored in hermetic conditions. Yet, the seed quality analysis revealed no differences (P< 0.05) among the sources and storage methods. Less than 20% of the tested samples met the national quality standards suggesting an important quality constraint in the current system which may justify the reported low yield and crop failure.
Keywords
Farmer’ perceptions, Macrotyloma geocarpum, orphan crops
Rsif Scholar Name
Sodedji Frejus Ariel Kpedetin
Thematic Area
Climate Change
Africa Host University (AHU)
University Felix Houphouët-Boigny (U-FHB), Côte d'Ivoire
Funding Statement
This research was supported by the International Foundation for Science and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (IFS-COMSTECH Research grant number I-3-C-6316-1). We also thank the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) for funding part of the work (grant number RU/2018/TQA/38)
Recommended Citation
Sossou, H., Agoyi, E., Kafoutchoni, K., Kpedetin, S. F., Agbahoungba, S., Quenum, F. F., Sikirou, R., Assogbadjo, A., & Sinsin, B. (2022). Seed system and seed quality of Kersting’s groundnut in Benin. African Crop Science Journal, 30, 1-20. https://doi.org/https://www.ajol.info/index.php/acsj/article/view/225613