Participatory plant breeding to develop improved varieties of rice

The Indonesian Center for Rice Research (ICRR) conducted trainings on the application of rice plant breeding technique to farmer groups, by applying participatory plant breeding approaches. The objective was to transfer techniques and skills to farmers on how to cross rice plants and identify advantageous lines. Core components included selection of parental lines, crossing techniques, selection, purification, yield observation, and multi-environmental trials. Breeding activities began in 2001 and farmers continued with selection activities independently from 2001 to 2009. In 2010, the Indonesian Farmer Community of Integrated Pest Management (IPPHTI) and the FIELD Foundation cooperated with ICRR to further develop the skills of farmer-breeders. In 2011, lines were purified and selected, based on yield observations. In 2012, some varieties were entered in the rice consortium program of ICRR on multi-environmental trials for potential high yielding and pest and disease resistant lines. In 2014, some of these varieties were proposed for registration and some were successfully released.