Tools for participatory crop improvement

Abstract

Traditional varieties are fundamental to agroecology, because they are grown for generations in
specific environments, making them adapted and appropriate for agroecological crops. Some
varieties present characteristics that do not correspond to the one desired by the farmers, and
need to be improved. In this case, the most appropriate is that the improvement process be
participatory. In this way, this work presents three tools for the participatory crop improvement.
The Storm of Ideas tool, was used for family farmers to define the characteristics to be evaluated
according to their own criteria. For the selection in the field, of plants and external aspects
of fruits, the tool Wood Spatulas was used and for selection of fruits, the Classification Matrix
was applied. It has been found that these tools are appropriate and recommended in participatory
crop improvement processes.