Participatory wheat varietal selection in Gilgit Baltistan of Pakistan

Participatory varietal selection is a rapid and cost effective way of identifying farmer’s preferred variety from diverse genetic material. A number of indigenous advanced wheat lines, and exotic material from CIMMYT, ICARDA and Turkey were tested using participatory varietal selection during 1998 to 2001 in the northern areas (Gilgit Baltistan) of Pakistan. Based on the farmers’ preference criteria, annual workshops of field management units and combined data from 1998 to 2001, three wheat lines NR-74, NR-142 and NR-152 were selected. These lines yielded 50% more in grain and straw, and had desirable grain colour and bread making quality than local varieties. Seeds of these lines were distributed in small quantity among the village Organisations and Woman Organization for seed multiplication. The results of a household-level survey during 2007 showed that the selected wheat lines were cultivated over an area of 70% in the target area, indicating that the adoption rate of varieties was improved by farmers’ participation. Participatory varietal selection approach is, therefore, suggested to adopt in resource-poor areas to develop varieties that best suit the needs of the farmers.   Key words: Gilgit Baltistan, farmers’ participatory research, wheat, participatory varietal selection