Understanding specific gender dynamics in the cowpea value chain for key traits to inform cowpea breeding programs in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania

Frontiers in Sociology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Feb. 15, 2024

Introduction Cowpea is an important food and nutrition security crop in Malawi, Mozambique Tanzania it mainly produced by women farmers on a subsistence scale. The majority of these use local varieties despite the availability improved region. Low acceptability adoption have also hampered cowpea breeding efforts. low adoption, especially among farmers, has been attributed to failure programs involve process designing developing with view meeting their priorities preferences. Despite constituting countries, no comprehensive gender analysis value chain had instituted understand traits that are youth responsive how incorporate them product profiling so developed benefit men, youth. main objective study was, therefore, identify preferred different groups within whole inform three countries. Methods employed quantitative qualitative methods elucidate preferences, including mapping, survey focus group discussions key informant interviews targeting farmers/consumers, traders, policymakers processors. Results discussion showed top-ranking order importance across countries were; (1) high grain yield, (2) good taste, (3) early maturity time, (4) large size, (5) leaf taste (6) short cooking time. It was further noted almost similar though minor variations were terms prioritization traits. These results two major influences our program: firstly, program changed way prioritizes include ones reflect needs chain. Secondly, objectives closely aligned differences target population other users, incorporating priority address both men women, That say, targets specific profiles more sensitive. Since work ongoing, expectation development resulting from this sensitive will translate into higher levels (compared previous releases), which might ripple effects food, income

Language: Английский

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Barriers and enablers of crop varietal replacement and adoption among smallholder farmers as influenced by gender: the case of sweetpotato in Katakwi district, Uganda

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: April 18, 2024

Sweetpotato is climate smart crop, grown with limited external inputs (fertilisers, pesticides, less labour) making it an attractive crop for resource-constrained smallholder farmers. It also a major cash and food many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. However, adoption of the high yielding nutritious improved varieties has been disappointingly low. This study uses qualitative methods to explore barriers enablers farmer varietal replacement adoption. Unlike extant quantitative studies that identify determinants adoption, we delve deeper into understanding reasons or against preference specific varieties. We used rich set information collected via focus group discussions which why farmers prefer certain over others how they perceive new from national breeding programs. Doing so enabled us unravel traits trait combinations seek those needing improvement. find most preferred were ‘yield’ ‘good taste’. Implying neglect sensory attributes by breeders contributes low sweetpotato Moreover, altruism among respondents plays important role use of, sharing about Women men obtained their neighbours, NGOs radios. For women, source planting materials doubled as information. Thus, concerted efforts minimise constraints are essential unravelling puzzle.

Language: Английский

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Gender inclusivity through maize breeding in Africa: A review of the issues and options for future engagement

Outlook on Agriculture, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 50(4), P. 392 - 405

Published: Nov. 22, 2021

With the prioritization of social inclusion in agricultural development, donors and research centers have shown growing interest gender-intentional varietal development delivery. Breeding maize varieties that respond to gender-based differences trait preferences now represents a central objective R&D CGIAR elsewhere. Drawing on literature gender seed adoption, variety preferences, system constraints, we take stock knowns unknowns related gender-responsive breeding. While recent farmers’ across crops has yielded insights into differences, find evidence gender-differentiated for remains inconclusive. Ultimately, identify several priorities support breeding, including more nuanced understanding relations production decision-making, new approaches measuring farmer demand broadly, address operational challenges We close by identifying some institutional constraints achieving impact through

Language: Английский

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Recent Advances in Molecular Improvement for Potato Tuber Traits

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 23(17), P. 9982 - 9982

Published: Sept. 1, 2022

Potato is an important crop due to its nutritional value and high yield potential. Improving the quality quantity of tubers remains one most breeding objectives. Genetic mapping helps identify suitable markers for use in molecular breeding, combined with transgenic approaches provides efficient way gaining desirable traits. The advanced plant tools techniques, e.g., TALENS, CRISPR-Cas9, RNAi, cisgenesis, have been successfully used improve potatoes increasing world population scenario. emerging methods like genome editing can avoid incorporating transgene keep food more secure. Multiple success cases documented literature. Recent advances potato tuber summarized this review.

Language: Английский

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Gender‐differentiated preference for sweetpotato traits and their drivers among smallholder farmers: Implications for breeding

Crop Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 64(3), P. 1251 - 1265

Published: Feb. 13, 2024

Abstract To improve sweetpotato ( Ipomoea batatas L.) productivity, several improved high‐yielding varieties have been developed by breeders. However, many farmers still grow low‐yielding landraces. Farmers choose to based on their preference for the attributes of those varieties. Varietal preferences shown differ between males and females. This study assessed farmer traits factors that drive choice most preferred traits. It used a uniquely large data set collected through personal interviews with male female growers. The employed multinomial probit regression examine drivers trait preference. finds higher production‐oriented among in general especially older ones. is, however, lower more educated who mainly prefer risk‐averting traits, growing local quality Hence, alongside other critical acceptance new respective contexts should not be ignored.

Language: Английский

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