Farmers’ Choice of Rice Ideotype in the Southeast Zone, Nigeria: A Participatory Plant Breeding Perspective

Farmers’ choice of rice ideotypes and productivity constraints in the Southeast Zone of Nigeria were examined. This study adopted a participatory plant breeding (PPB) approach, involving a random selection of 630 rice farmers. Data collected using a semi-structured questionnaire were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and ANOVA. The findings revealed that the types of rice varieties cultivated by the farmers were improved varieties (29.4%) and both improved and local varieties (19.1%). The commonly cultivated rice varieties were 14:16, mass, Abuja, Chinyere, Nwangozi, Nwagbenya and Mama egodi in Ebonyi State; Enugu farmers prioritized the cultivation of room and palour, Mass, Faro 44, and R8; and lastly, R8, Faro 44 and mass were the dominant varieties in Anambra State. Meanwhile, high yield, resistance to pests and diseases, drought tolerance, marketability, early maturation, and grain color were significantly different (p < 0.05), indicating that they are the primary factors influencing farmers’ choice of rice ideotypes in the zone. This study offers invaluable evidence for enhancing breeding initiatives aimed at meeting end-user preferences.