Country-wide maize variety evaluation using the mother-baby scheme in Zimbabwe

L. Muza, D. Ruponga, V. Kazembe, E. Nyamutowa &  J. de Meyer

Country wide maize variety trials were initiated in 1999/2000 in Zimbabwe. The trials were conducted at research stations, rural schools and farmers’ fields. Recently released and pre-released varieties were given to the co-ordinating units by breeders from the national programme, international organizations and private seed companies.  Mother trials were conducted at 57 sites in 1999/2000, 52 sites in 2000/01 and 26 sites in2001/02. At each mother site two trials were conducted, one fertilized at the average farmers’ practice, termed the “yellow trial” and one trial had the recommended fertilizer level, termed the “green trial”.  The mother trials were managed by research personal at research stations, extension personal in districts, NGO personal, teachers and students at schools. The managers of the mother trials helped six farmers at walking distances from the mother trial , to plant and manage single block trials of the varieties planted under the farmers’ condition, termed the baby trials.  The co-ordinating unit with personal from both research and extension prepared the files, the inputs and acted as a technical back up and finally analysed the data and produced the final season report. At mid season field days were hosted at the mother trials inviting the whole community in the area to see the performance of the varieties and also give their views. During the season the community was free to visit baby trials. At the end of each season the trials data was statistically analysed for each site and across the sites. Three stakeholder workshops were held to discuss the results and develop work plans for the coming season.  Each partner was given the report to use in their area. This scheme has led to the official release of two open pollinated maize varieties and identification of other potentially good varieties. Farmers demand for seed of the varieties is high.