Gendered Food Mapping on Boiled Potato in Uganda

The current study establishes preferred end-user traits for boiled potato using a gender-responsive approach. The study was conducted in Kabale and Rakai, representing two agro ecologies of high potato production in Uganda. An interdisciplinary and participatory methodology was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data on socio-economic context with regard to trait preferences. Generally, preferred traits by both men and women were big size tubers, pest and disease resistance and high yield. 61.2% of women and 77% of men showed a preference for big size tubers. ‘Big size tuber’ was linked to market preferences for men whereas for women, it was attributed to processing efficiency. The influence of gender and wealth status on varietal selection was observed whereby men did not cultivate the varieties identified as being among the ‘worst performing’, however, women and other poor minorities may cultivate these because they couldn’t afford the new varieties. Therefore, it is important for breeders to consider factors such as gender roles, socio-economic norms, in addition to agronomic traits that guide farmers and other end-users in their selection of new varieties