Estudio sobre la adopción de variedades mejoradas de frijol en las principales zonas productoras de frijol de la Región Brunca de Costa Rica

Abstract

Three bean varieties were released in Costa Rica during the years 2000-2004 (Bribri, 2000, Cabecar, 2003 and Telire, 2004). The process of production and release of these varieties was conducted through the use of participative breeding (PB) methodology, with the objective of assuring their adoption by more farmers. Two hundred one producers were interviewed in four localities and 16 towns in the Brunca region during years 2002, 2003, and 2004. During the farming year 2004, 70% of the cropped land was planted with the varieties Bribri (41.8%), Cabecar (24.3%) and Telire (3.3%). Planting with improved varieties significantly reduced the use of local lines, which were considered as less yielding and more susceptible to diseases by farmers. During year 2004, acceptability was 51.8%, which includes adoption by farmers' criteria and area planted with this variety. The areas with higher adoption indexes correspond to those with a high percent of farmers organized in associations of producers, which have most actively participated in the PB process. Adoption of varieties was improved through farmer participation in field demonstrations, genotype evaluations, and release of bean cultivars. We conclude that the adoption of the Bribri variety has been accomplished and that there is early adoption of the varieties Cabecar and Telire. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]