GUELPH, Ont. – Ignorance cuts both ways.
That’s what the director of international development studies at the University of Guelph learned through her rural development work in Honduras over the past two decades.
Sally Humphries said her misconceptions about the ability of small Honduran farmers were swept away.
She had been concerned their minimal literacy skills wouldn’t be sufficient for them to adopt a scientific approach to planting breeding.
They proved her wrong.
“I was skeptical about the value of scientific research there, but if the work had not been scientifically verifiable, the (Honduran) government would not have become involved,” Humphries said late last month during the Guelph Organic Conference.
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“They’re able to use the science of farming and that’s empowering.”
Humphries’ relationship with Hondura’s small, upland farmers began in 1992 with her pilot research project.
From there, the Foundation for Participatory Research with Honduran Farmers was born and long-term support acquired through USC Canada, an overseas development agency.
The project evaluated the challenges facing farmers and found that food security topped the list. Participating farmers said a focus on improved bean and corn varieties would be most appropriate.
Lowland varieties were initially introduced to the upland farms, which were often steeply sloped. However, they were adapted to richer soil and the use of commercial fertilizers.
“After four or five years of looking at new varieties, it became clear to us and them … that the solutions were within their own seeds,” Humphries said.
The farmers had selected their own seed for generations but had little knowledge of more formalized breeding methods.
A local university became involved but the farmers conducted the trials. They also made their own selections, which proved best adapted to disease pressures, their low-input approach and the poorer upland soil.
The first bean variety released in 2004, Macuzalito, provides a 50 percent yield boost over traditional lines. Three more bean varieties and two corn varieties have since been developed.
“What has happened in the last few months, the FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) and the Honduran government have gotten involved,” Humphries said.
“Suddenly there’s an interest in the new varieties.… There’s real recognition that this form of plant breeding has value.”
Sixty-six research teams, with women representing about half of the participants, work to develop crop varieties adapted to local conditions.
