Understanding perceptions of potato seed quality among small-scale farmers in Peruvian highlands

Abstract

The increased opportunities of smallholder farmers for commercial production of native potato varieties have resulted in an interest to support production and use of quality seed tubers of these varieties by the formal sector. In this context, a study was carried out to explore farmer perception of seed quality and the differences with formal expert perceptions of seed quality. It introduces Means-End-Chains methodology as a novel approach in studying farmers' decision on the use of varieties and seed. Results show that security, health and wellness are important personal values that influence the quality perception of small-scale farmers in Andean highlands. To pursue these values, they look for seed tubers that reflect the variety characteristics in combination with seed quality cues that reflect altitude, soil and low input management. Farmers do not associate these last ones with seed tubers from the formal seed sector.

Understanding root, tuber, and banana seed systems and coordination breakdown: a multi-stakeholder framework

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The land-use dynamics of potato agrobiodiversity in the highlands of central Peru: a case study of spatial-temporal management across farming landscapes

“…Seed degeneration resulting from cumulative pathogen and pest infestation over successive cropping cycles detrimentally affects yield performance and easily spreads across smallholder Andean networks [86]. Farmers in Pasco partially renew their seed stocks frequently by sourcing from higher-altitude production zones that meet their perceptions of quality for floury landrace production [57, 87]. With climate change, pest and disease pressure is likely to increase, warranting continuous monitoring of seed security and the conservation status of landrace diversity in both landscapes.…”

Empirical Analysis of New Agricultural Operators based on Scale Management: a Perspective of Farmer Household

“…Model (1) and (2) assume that the land circulation of farmers is influenced by the operating profit rate of the agriculture and the wage level of nonfarm employment. Therefore, the setting model is:…”

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