Potential for introducing improved production practices in food legumes with increased food security in Afghanistan

ABSTRACT: The restricted maximum likelihood method was used to assess performance following the introduction of improved varieties of chickpea and mungbean (an important source of plant protein in Afghanistan) as compared to local varieties using 242 farmer participatory demonstrations laid out in eight districts in Baghlan, Balkh and Uruzgan provinces in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2012. The impact of the varieties introduced on the enhancement of security of food and nutrition of farmers adopting such technologies was also assessed. Taking an average over the study period, chickpea improved varieties (Madad and Sehat) recorded 56 and 72 % more yield over the local ones, respectively, while in case of mungbean varieties, Mai 2008 and Maash 2008 recorded 22 and 30 % more yield over local ones respectively. Though there is a significant yield difference between the improved and the local varieties of both crops, the difference between the improved varieties of chickpea was not significant while it was significant in the case of mungbean. The study revealed a non-zero variance component for variety type [improved vs. local] × year within district interaction for the yield of chickpea while none of the interactions in mungbean had a positive variance component. Risk analysis showed that at a chosen probability level of 90 %, the improved varieties yielded more than local varieties in both crops (> 1.0 t ha−1). Thus, the study highlighted the scope for enhancing the security of both food and nutrition in Afghanistan through improved productivity of pulse crops.

摘要：本研究于2009—2012年间，在阿富汗巴格兰省、巴尔赫省与乌鲁兹甘省的8个县区布设242个农户参与式示范田（farmer participatory demonstrations），采用约束最大似然法（restricted maximum likelihood）评估引进的改良鹰嘴豆与绿豆品种（阿富汗重要植物蛋白来源）相较于当地品种的田间表现；同时评估了该改良技术采用者的粮食与营养安全水平提升效应。
研究期内平均数据显示，改良鹰嘴豆品种Madad与Sehat的产量分别较当地对照品种高出56%与72%；绿豆品种Mai 2008与Maash 2008的产量则分别较当地品种高出22%与30%。尽管两种作物的改良品种与当地品种间均存在显著产量差异，但鹰嘴豆各改良品种间的产量差异并不显著，而绿豆改良品种间则呈现显著差异。
研究表明，对于鹰嘴豆产量而言，品种类型（改良型与当地型）×县区内年份的交互项存在非零方差分量（variance component）；而绿豆的各类交互项均未呈现正方差分量。
风险分析结果显示，在选定的90%概率水平下，两种作物的改良品种产量均高于当地品种，且单产均大于1.0 吨·公顷⁻¹。
综上，本研究揭示了通过提升豆类作物生产效率，增强阿富汗粮食与营养安全水平的可行空间。