Farmers’ preferred traits, production constraints, and adoption factors of improved maize varieties under South-Kivu rainfed agro-ecologies, eastern D.R. Congo: Implication for maize breeding

Abstract Background The adoption rate of improved maize varieties (IMVs) is low among small-scale farmers in South-Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), despite extensive dissemination efforts by local and international research institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The level of understanding of farmers' preferences and needs for released IMVs, as well as socioeconomic factors influencing their adoption in South-Kivu, is still limited. This study aimed at assessing farmers' preference criteria for maize varieties and identifying factors driving the adoption of IMVs as well as major production constraints in South-Kivu, to guide varietal selection and breeding initiatives. Results Results showed that the most farmer-preferred attributes were high yield potential, early maturity, taste, and pest/disease resistance, with significant disparities across market segments. Socioeconomic factors such as the farmer’s age, experience, membership of farmer organization, contacts with extension services, land ownership, seed availability, access to credits and labor availability bear significant influence on the adoption decision of IMVs. While experience and membership of farmers’ organizations negatively influence the adoption of the combination of local and IMVs. Lack of land, pest and disease, lack of labor, and unavailability of quality seeds were the most important constraints faced by farmers. Conclusions In addition to controlling negative socioeconomic factors and production constraints, it would be essential to initiate breeding initiatives that consider local farmers' preferences and needs, to boost IMVs uptake by farmers in South-Kivu.