Abstract:
Lack of awareness and information on the traits of orphan crops such as finger millet is a major
constraint to finger millet production. Farmer participatory and varietal selection (FVPS) is an efficient
method of achieving productivity through enhancing adoption of improved high yielding varieties. A
study was conducted in two major growing areas in central Rift Valley, Agri-ecological zone III (ATCNakuru
and Bomet), to assess the level of awareness and farmer preference of twenty-five finger millet
varieties. Farmer participatory variety selection was conducted at physiological maturity of the finger
millets. One hundred farmers assessed and scored their preferred traits and varieties in each site. The
scores were ranked on a scale of 1-5 in Focused Group Discussions (FDGs) and analyzed using
Kruskal Wallis H-test of non-parametric data using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) while
scores collected on variety traits were used to construct a Pair-wise ranking table to find the best
traits selected by farmers. The results showed that farmers preferred high yielding varieties with
qualities such as uniformity, drought tolerance, tillering ability, big fingers, lodging and folded or
straight fingers. They appreciated the snapping varieties for the ease of harvesting using fingers
instead of traditional cutting using a knife. Kal 2 Pader (3.9), P-224 (3.9), KatFM1×U151.6.6.3.1.1 (3.9),
GBK 027189A (2.8), Snapping green early (3.7) and KatFM1xU151.7.8.2.1 (3.7) were the most preferred
varieties while in AEZ III, Bomet ATC KatFM1 (4.3), KNE 741 (4.3), KNE629 (4.2), KatFM1×U151.6.6.3.1
(4.1), Gulu E (3.9), GBK 027189A (3.8) and Kal 2 pader (3.8) were the most preferred varieties in ATC
Nakuru. In both sites KatFM1×U151.6.6.3.1.1 (4.0), Kal 2 pader (3.85) and GBK 027189A (3.8), Gulu E
(3.75) and P-224 (3.75), were ranked the best. The farmers expressed their interest in accessing
the seeds of these improved varieties. FPVS provides a platform for identification of the most
preferred traits of finger millet and knowledge dissemination of improved varieties to farmers.
Key words: Finger millet, farmer participatory variety selection (FVPS), farmers preferred traits and varieties
