Four-square method

The four-square method originally meant to identify common, unique and endangered crop seed/varieties at community level for genetic conservation purposes, as it is obvious in the user guide. In the RTB seed system work the method is used to generate an inventory of varieties being grown in a particular locality and discuss with farmers the importance of the portfolio of varieties in their households. Such information is relevant to identify interventions needed for the conservation of seed/crop varieties. The four-square method plots responses in two dimensions (e.g., popularity and scale) to come up with four cells into which seed/crop varieties are suitably placed: 1) cultivars grown by many farmers on a large area, cell 2) cultivars grown by many farmers on a small area, cell 3) cultivars grown by a few farmers on a large area and cell 4) cultivars grown by few farmers on a small area. It is mainly applied as a first step to understand seed/ varieties grown in a community and to document reasons for the status of seed/varieties within the area. The method is implemented in Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) which can conducted separately for the different social groupings (gender, age, social status etc.) to enable capturing of differentiated perspectives and experiences, their land use, varieties or changes in the seed system, and can be built on in selection of entry points for further research. It can also complement a small N/exploratory case study.

Tool description: Here

User Guide: Here

More information and examples:

• Kilwinger, F.B.M., A.M. Rietveld, J.C.J. Groot and C.J.M Almekinders. Kilwinger, (2019). Culturally embedded practices of managing banana diversity and planting material in central Uganda. Journal of Crop Improvement 33(4):456-477. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15427528.2019.1610822

• Lilian Nkengla-Asi, Aman Bonaventure Omondi, Vincent Che Simo, Elizabeth Assam, Sergine Ngatat, Brenda Boonabaana. (2020). Gender dynamics in banana seed systems and impact on banana bunchy top disease recovery in Cameroon. Outlook on Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1177/0030727020918333 PDF

• Blomme ........

• List of Publications: Here DELETE - probably insert the references here, well edited

Contact: Lucy Mulugo lmulugo@yahoo.com, Susan Ajambo s.ajambo@cgiar.org, Enoch Kikulwe e.kikulwe@cgiar.org