Resumo

ORTIZ, R et al. Logros del Fitomejoramiento Participativo evaluado por los productores involucrados. cultrop [online]. 2009, vol.30, n.2, pp. 00-00. ISSN 0258-5936.

Agrobiological diversity management restrictions in Cuba, as a result of a financial deficit, enabled an alternative and complementary plant breeding strategy to the conventional and centralized one. This important way called Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB), as forming part of the local agriculture innovation, started in 2000 and eight years after being implemented, even farmers joining these ideas have evaluated its impact. PPB achievements were assessed regarding farm production, family infrastructure and home welfare, training/competitions, social capital/empowerment and farmer´s participation in local innovation processes. Farmers from Pinar del Rio, Havana, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara and Holguín met together and classified development in every aspect by means of a gradation scale, besides evaluating the existing situation prior to the project and the current situation. At the end, everyone recognized a high impact on several aspects related to farm production, family welfare as well as a high and competent knowledge was achieved in different agrarian aspects; on the other hand, a significant farmer´s empowerment was also evident and a greater farmer and his family´s self-esteem. Finally, the effect of this breeding strategy was observed in local innovation.

Palavras-chave : plant breeding; farmers; participation; innovation; evaluation.