This briefing note highlights the process and the most relevant results of the Participatory Plant Breeding efforts, which were conducted over the 2019-2023 period in the Farmer Field Schools in Zimbabwe. The note focuses on sorghum and pearl millet.
Background
The Sowing Diversity=Harvesting Security program aims at improving farmers’ access and use of crop diversity, strengthening farmers’ seed systems, and supporting healthy nutrition in the community. The Farmer Field School forms its central approach. One of the main activities carried out in the FFS is Participatory Plant Breeding: with the support of scientists and local extension staff, farmers learn breeding and selection methods, and in the process, they test new varieties, select, and improve existing ones or develop new lines.
