Escolha de variedades de milho pelos camponeses em Guijá

Abstract

This work was the result of a research carried out in July 1996 for the diploma work thesis with the aim of identifying the strategies of peasants in the family sector in regarding the preferences of maize varieties. The work was carried out in gaza province, guijá district in the village agreements of lusaka (djavanhane) where it was found that the farmers received some maize seeds (zea mays l} in 1996. These seeds were provided by the Lutheran World Federation project (fml / lwf) and sold by the then District Directorate of Agriculture and Fisheries (ddap) They mixed these seeds with those acquired in neighboring villages or eventually saved. its varieties to lose or gain some morphological characteristics. Farmers named the maize varieties based on these morphological characteristics.The main characteristic of the seeds that farmers use most to identify maize varieties is the color of the grain. The identified varieties are matuba, nhankoene, ngumbe, nwamba and berene. Matuba and berene are not l varieties. ocals. Farmers prefer local varieties because they are suitable for local conditions. They know more about the local varieties. In the maize production process the main problems that the peasants face are the attack of maize by field mice, borers and stripes. Extension work to support farmers, in addition to seed distribution, does not exist. It is recommended that the variety improvement program researchers, in collaboration with the extensionists, collect the local germplasm to study the desired genetic characteristics for the maize varieties' ability to resist pests and drought combined with increased Yield. It is also recommended to sensitize the farmers in this village to select and conserve their seeds so that they do not live dependent on seeds from outside help. In order to minimize the problem of rats, it is proposed to promote a campaign to combat rats with rodenticides and rat traps, and in relation to stripes and borers, peasants can be sensitized to burn the stubbles of corn plants. For the maize market and the commercial network in general to function, the main road must be rehabilitated through funding from the NGOs operating in the site and the intervention of the district government(TRADUÇAO NOSSA)