How can pairing quantitative with qualitative data collection methods better elicit rice varietal selection? Evidence from Burundi

Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS) is the selection by stakeholders of varieties in advanced testing stages by plant breeding
programs. With Burundi as a case example, this study incorporated qualitative Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) into the
quantitative PVS structure so as to elicit deeper insights into rice trait preferences and illuminate broader issues affecting rice
farmers. During two consecutive years, this study surveyed 174 participants across six stakeholder groups (administrators,
farmers, custom millers, researchers, seed producers, and traders) in three locations. There were statistically significant associations in rice trait preferences across locations, participating stakeholders, and genders, highlighting preference alignment.
Moreover, multiple traits were desired simultaneously, beyond productivity-related traits, and sometimes contradicting
researchers’ preferences, especially in rainfed systems. By moving beyond quantitative PVS preference scores as being the
only way of gathering trait preference data, this study has shown how the incorporation of qualitative FGDs into the PVS
structure can elicit deeper insights on trait preferences and illuminate broader issues affecting rice farmers, which when
solved can accelerate the momentum in widespread adoption of new rice varieties.