A study on the management and quality of farmers’ home-saved bean seeds in Lira and Masindi Districts

Abstract

A baseline study was conducted in Lira and Masindi districts to determine farmers’ practices of harvesting, processing, storage and protection of home-saved bean seeds. Two parishes from two counties in each district were selected as sampling sites. Farmers’ seed source; seed preparation and planting practices; bean harvest and harvesting techniques; primary processing, storage and seed protection methods were investigated. Representative seed samples were obtained from farmers in March and in August 1999, the months preceding the first and second planting seasons, for quality analysis in the laboratory. The blotter method was used to determine seed health status. The results showed the predominant reliance on home- saved seeds as source of planting materials by farmers. Seeds were salvaged from grains, only at the time of planting. The quality of farmers’ home-saved seeds was poor and this was compensated for during planting by high seeding rate. The main constraint to bean storage were bruchids and they adversely affected the germination capacity of seeds. Improved grain processing, storage and protection technologies that are “seed friendly” have been recommended for application on home-saved seeds.