Participating Agencies

• Biotechnology Research Unit of EMBRAPA Mandioca e Fruticultura (CNPMF), Cruz das Almas, Bahia
• Participatory Plant Breeding Group of EMBRAPA-CNPMF, Cruz das Almas, Bahia
• Empresa Baiana de Desenvolvimento Agrícola (EBDA), Caetité, southeast Bahia
• Farmer communities in Caetité, southeast Bahia

This project is characterized by synergism between research (EMBRAPA-CNPMF), delivery (EBDA), and end-use (farming communities). Seven farmer-preferred cassava varieties, made up of two local varieties (Lazam and Aipim Cachorro) and five improved clones (003, 005, BGM 1318, BGM 1393, and BGM 1389S), were selected from farmer participatory breeding trials on the basis of resistance to CBB and drought tolerance. These varieties are to be used for in vitro cleaning, rapid multiplication, and redistribution to farmers. Project activities are distributed as follows:

EMBRAPA-CNPMF-Biotechnology Research Unit

• Receive and clean, and conduct in vitro indexation and rapid in vitro multiplication of planting materials of cassava clones supplied by the Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) Group. The rapid in vitro multiplication protocols are adapted from those previously developed at CIAT.
• The Unit also trains extension agents and farmers in tissue culture protocols. It helped set up the pilot laboratory and protocols in the Maniçau community of Caetité. It ensures continuous supply of in vitro materials to the pilot laboratory, helps transfer materials from the laboratory to the greenhouse while ensuring a follow up with the host community. The Unit also participates in on-farm validation of materials arising from in vitro methods.

EMBRAPA-CNPMF-Participatory Plant Breeding Group

• The PPB Group interacts with the communities selected as pilot study sites and, in conjunction with EBDA, leads the selection of research materials, communities, farmers, and extension workers. It also, in association with farmers and with EBDA's help, selects, in a participatory manner, the improved and local varieties adapted to the pilot zone.
• The Group also supplies planting stakes from the chosen varieties to the Biotechnology Research Unit, trains farmers and extension agents in two-node rapid multiplication, actively participates in the transfer of in vitro plantlets from the laboratory to the greenhouse, and subsequently follows up with the farmers and technicians on the rapid propagation theme.
• Data collection on technology adoption and impact.

Farmers

• The farmers as a group participate in varietal selection, are trained in the in vitro and rapid cassava multiplication techniques (about 3 persons), transfer the received training to other group members, and engage in follow up and feedback with EBDA, the Biotechnology Research Unit, and the PPB Group.
• Responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the planting materials reservoir.

Empresa Baiana de Desenvolvimento Agrícola

• In conjunction with the PPB Group, EBDA selects the communities, farmers, and extension workers who will take part in the participatory selection of improved and local cassava varieties adapted to the zone, become trained in in vitro and rapid cassava multiplication, and pass their knowledge on to others of their respective groups.
• EBDA follows up and gives feedback on the processes with the different players to EMBRAPA-CNPMF's Biotechnology Research Unit and PPB Group.

Arising from the rapid in vitro multiplication of these five selected varieties, 432 plantlets have been produced in EMBRAPA-CNPMF's Biotechnology Laboratory. Once multiplied, these clones will be transferred as plantlets to the pilot laboratory in Caetité, southeast Bahia.