Abstract:
lying causes of genetic erosion, identified
farmers’ seed sources and exchange systems
and documented conservation practices in
the Kabale highlands of south-western
Uganda. Data were collected using pre-tested
structured questionnaires from a random
sample of 120 farmers from six parishes. The
analysis revealed substantial loss of
traditional varieties of sweet potatoes (Ipomea
batatas), potatoes (Solanum tuberosum),
beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and peas (Pisum
sativum). More than 18, 7, 9, and 3 varieties,
respectively were reported to have been lost
completely. The most frequently mentioned
underlying cause of genetic erosion (cited by
93.7% of the farmers) was introduction of
new varieties. Other causes were lack of
market (68.8%), diseases (45.6%), shortage
of land (41.9%), pests (33.4%), shortage of
labour (23.5%), change in weather (19.6%)
and loss of soil fertility (15.8%). Farmers
relied mainly on their own seed for traditional
varieties (81.5% of farmers), while
nearly half of farmers obtained seed of new
or modern varieties by cash purchase from
the market. The exchange of seeds of modern
varieties between the farmers was common
practice. This has resulted in rapid and
wide spread of modern varieties and has
contributed to the abandonment of the
traditional cultivars. Farmers maintained
field stocks of vegetatively propagated crop
species. For seed-propagated crops farmers
mainly stored dried seeds in gunny sacks in
their houses. Very few farmers employed
traditional seed storage methods. The loss of
landraces is a threat to national food security.
Without adequate reservoirs of diverse
genetic resources, future genetic
improvement programmes will be jeopardized.
There is therefore an urgent need to
collect, document, conserve and utilize the
traditional varieties and formulate policies
that will protect them from further genetic
erosion. Farmers and policy-makers should
be sensitized on the value of maintaining
crop genetic diversity.