Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania i GENDER-DIFFERENTIATED TRAIT PREFERENCES FOR SWEETPOTATO VARIETIES IN TANZANIA Focus Group Discussion Report ii Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania © International Potato Center 2021 ISBN: 978-92-9060-608-6 DOI: 10.4160/9789290606086 CIP publications contribute important development information to the public arena. Readers are encouraged to quote or reproduce material from them in their own publications. As copyright holder CIP requests acknowledgement and a copy of the publication where the citation or material appears. Please send a copy to the Communications Department at the address below. International Potato Center P.O. Box 1558, Lima 12, Peru cip@cgiar.org • www.cipotato.org Citation: Mulwa C ., Mussa H., Ogero K., Rajendran S., Wanjohi L. (2021). Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania. . Lima, Peru: International Potato Center. Design and Layout: Communications Department September 2021 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania iii Content Acknowledgement ......................................................................................................................................................................v Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................................................... vi 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1 2 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Data collection ................................................................................................................................................................. 2 2.2 Sampling and protocols ................................................................................................................................................... 2 2.2.1 Sweetpotato producers ........................................................................................................................................... 2 2.2.2 Sweetpotato consumers .......................................................................................................................................... 3 3 Results and discussion ............................................................................................................................................................. 4 3.1 Socioeconomic characteristics of FGD participants ......................................................................................................... 4 3.1.1 Sweetpotato root and vine producers ..................................................................................................................... 4 3.1. 2 Sweetpotato consumers ......................................................................................................................................... 4 3.2 Producer sweetpotato variety and trait preferences ...................................................................................................... 6 3. 2. 1 Key preferred varieties in study area ..................................................................................................................... 6 3. 2. 2 Producer preferred traits in key sweetpotato varieties......................................................................... 8 3. 2. 3 Reasons for producer trait preferences ................................................................................................................. 9 3. 2. 4 Producer non-preferred traits in varieties ............................................................................... ..... 10 3. 2. 5 preferred varieties .......................................................................................... ....... 12 3. 2. 6 Non-preferred traits in the le varieties ............................................................................................. 12 3.3 Consumer sweetpotato variety and trait preferences .................................................................................................. 14 3. 3. 1 Key consumer preferred varieties ........................................................................................................................ 14 3. 3. 2 Consumer preferred traits/characteristics ........................................................................................................... 15 3. 3. 3 Consumer least preferred varieties and traits ..................................................................................................... 16 3.4 Effect of trait preferences on the roles of men and women ......................................................................................... 18 3.4.1 Effect of producer preferred traits ........................................................................................................................ 19 3. 4. 2 Effect of producer non-preferred traits ............................................................................................................... 20 3. 4. 3 Effect of consumer preferred traits ..................................................................................................................... 21 4. Summary of key findings, conclusions and recommendations ............................................................................................ 23 4.1 Summary of key findings ............................................................................................................................................... 23 4.2 Conclusions .................................................................................................................................................................... 24 References: .............................................................................................................................................................................. 25 Appendices ............................................................................................................................................................................... 26 iv Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania Acknowledgement The study was by a team of researchers from TARI-Ukiriguru and the International Potato Center (CIP). The team is grateful for the financial support from SweetGAINS project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). The team would also like to thank all key stakeholders in the study area who participated in interviews for this study. We appreciate the tireless cooperation we received from the district staff throughout the study the Regional Administrative Secretar (RAS) of Geita, Mara and Mwanza regions, for providing consent to undertake field work in their regions. Lastly, we appreciate the useful comments received during the validation workshop which were used to improve the report. Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania v Executive Summary Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam) is a traditional subsistence crop grown in Tanzania and is increasingly being marketed as an important crop for improved nutrition and food security. This has increased the need to have varieties that are preferred by both producers and consumers, for sustained widespread adoption. Furthermore, the production environments for sweetpotato are changing rapidly due to the changing climate, necessitating changes in the traits preferred by the producers. Many of these trait preferences vary by gender of producers and consumers, with women producers and consumers preferring certain traits considered unimportant by men, and vice versa. To adequately cater to these various needs, breeders need to respond to these changes in the demand for new varieties by introducing varieties that adequately meet the changing preferences of end users. This report is an update of information on gender-differentiated producer and consumer preferred characteristics of sweet potato conducted at the Lake Zone of Tanzania. It is intended to inform gender responsive breeding strategies, specifically to help set breeding priorities and to expand the potential impact of improved sweetpotato varieties. Information in the report was obtained by interviewing sweetpotato farmers and consumers from the Lake Zone districts of Tanzania (Bukombe, Butiama and Nyamagana) through focus group discussions (FGDs). These FGDs comprised of about eight to twelve participants and were conducted separately for men and women. The study shows that consumption of sweetpotato in urban and sub-urban areas has increased in the last five years. Although some of the urban households produce their own sweetpotato roots, most purchased the product from local markets. Overall, the top three Sweetpotato varieties grown by both male and female FGD participants were Ukimwi and Umeme in Bukombe district, and Rwakoma (Ukerewe) in Butiama district. On the other hand, the common varieties consumed by both male and female participants in Bukombe district were Polista and Ukimwi. Nyangubu and Polista were consumed by both male and female consumers in Butiama and Nyamagana district, respectively. Flesh sweetness, high root yield, big root size, skin and flesh color were the major preferred sweetpotato traits by producers, while the most important traits for both male and female consumers were good root shape, skin color, high dry matter content, non-fibrous roots and sweet taste. isaggregation of the results by gender show no major differences on the variety trait preference men and women, there is an indication that women tended to grow more varieties than men, including those with low market demand but considered beneficial to the family’s wellbeing. These varieties possessed positive traits such as big root size, high dry matter content, high yields and good taste. On the other hand, men mainly grew varieties with a high market demand. gender roles women affected by traits that Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania vii 1. Introduction Notable changes are occurring in Sweet potato value chains due to various factors including changing weather conditions, changing consumption patterns, increasing household incomes, and increased awareness as information becomes more accessible. These factors have led to changes in producer and end-user demand for varieties that are responsive to their unique production environments, changing market demands, and processing scenarios. More often than not, variety trait preferences are not uniform across populations with different segments of the society having varied preferences. For example, studies show that women and men have different variety and variety-trait preferences. Breeding programs therefore need to consider these factors when developing new varieties, for inclusive value chains and impactful development interventions. To understand preferred and non-preferred traits of key varieties in these changing production and marketing environments, this study was undertaken to guide breeding activities in the Genetic Advances and Innovative Seed Systems for Sweetpotato (SweetGAINS) project, a flagship initiative led by the International Potato Center (CIP) which aims to modernize sweetpotato breeding programs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The study, conducted at the Lake Zone region of Tanzania, aimed to understand gender-differentiated preferences on sweet potato traits and varieties, as well as the effects of these preferences on the roles of men and women in the household, for a gendered analysis of impact of released varieties on household gender roles. The study involved identification of sweet potato varieties produced and consumed in the study area, as well as producer and consumer preferences and non-preferences of key variety traits. Results of the study will inform gender-responsive breeding strategies, specifically to help set breeding priorities and to expand the potential impact of improved varieties through incorporation of end-user preferences in breeding strategies. Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 1 2. Methodology 2.1 Data collection The study adopted a mixed methods approach where surveys were combined with key informant interviews (KII) and focus group discussions (FGDs) to collect data. Only the FGDs are discussed in this report. The FGDs were conducted with both sweetpotato producers and consumers, where both urban and rural consumers were targeted to capture the dynamics in the preferences between these two market segments. To understand differences in variety preferences and allow for uninhibited discussions, all the FGDs were organized into male and female groups. To collect the data, qualified facilitators were recruited and trained by the lead scientist from CIP. The facilitators were trained on how to conduct the FGDs using a checklist in a manner that elicits robust discussions. The checklist was pretested and feedback from the pretest used to improve the questions and mode of questioning. This also ensured familiarity of the tool by the facilitators. Data were transcribed and analyzed using content analysis approach. 2.2 Sampling and protocols 2.2.1 Sweetpotato producers Two districts in the Lake Zone region of Tanzania, Bukombe and Butiama, were purposively selected for the study based on sweetpotato production potential. From the two districts, the best sweetpotato producing wards as ranked by the district agricultural, irrigation and cooperatives office (DAICO) were chosen for inclusion in the study. In Bukombe district, Namonge and Butinzya wards were selected for inclusion in the study while Buhemba and Butiama wards were selected in Butiama District (Table 1). Table 1: Districts and Wards where FGDs were held District Ward Village Buhembo Matongo Buhembo Butiama Buturu Butiama Buturu Maranda Butinzya Silamila Bukombe Namonge Mji Mwema Namonge Mji Mwema From these selected wards, one village was randomly selected for two FGD sessions, one with male and the other with female participants. Selection of the participants for the FGDs was conducted at the sub-village (vitongoji) level, with each sub-village contributing to the overall count of participants in the FGD at the village level. A total of 94 farmers participated in FGD (Table 2). Table 2: Sweet potato producers who participated in the FGDs Name of District Number of FGD Number of Participants Total Male Female Bukombe 4 25 23 48 Butiama 4 24 22 46 2 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania Total 8 49 45 94 Protocols followed during the field exercise included explaining the purpose of the study to sub-village leaders who were convened by the village government. Each sub-village leader was asked to submit a list of 20-25 names of male and female farmers involved in sweetpotato root/vine production from which three to four male and female farmers from each sub-village were then randomly selected. A briefing was held with the selected farmers, who were informed about the objective of the FGDs and then requested to participate in sessions scheduled for the following day. 2.2.2 Sweetpotato consumers Participants for the consumer FGDs were selected from the township markets of Bukombe and Butiama districts. To capture the dynamics of rural and urban sweetpotato consumers, Mwanza city was purposively selected to sample urban consumers for the study. The FGD sessions were therefore conducted in the township markets of Bukombe and Butiama districts, and in the Nyamagana township market of Mwanza district. Similar to the producer FGDs, two sessions were conducted in each market, one with women and the other with men. Six FGDs were conducted in total, comprising of 51 participants, 23 male and 28 female (Table 3). Table 3: Sweetpotato consumers District Number of FGDs Number of Participants Total Male Female Nyamagana 2 8 13 21 Bukombe 2 7 6 13 Butiama 2 8 9 17 Total 6 23 28 51 Protocols used to select participants for the consumer FGDs were two-fold; the first approach involved requesting retailers and food vendors in the markets to provide contacts of their regular customers, who are not primarily producers of sweet potato roots. Participants for the FGDs were then randomly selected from the provided list. In the second approach, clients purchasing or consuming sweetpotato roots from retailers and food vendors were observed and requested to participate in the FGDs sessions the following day. Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 3 3. Results and discussion In this section, the socioeconomic characteristics of sweetpotato producers and consumers are presented first, followed by results on producer sweetpotato variety and trait preferences. Next, the effects of the producer preferred and non-preferred traits on the role of men and women in the household are reported. This is then followed by a discussion on consumer variety and trait preferences, and lastly, the effects of these consumer preferences on the role of men and women are reported. 3.1 Socioeconomic characteristics of FGD participants 3.1.1 Sweetpotato root and vine producers The average age of the participants was 44 years old, with male participants being older than female participants at 45 and 43 years of age, respectively. In terms of education, the number of years spent in school by women was less than those spent by men, with women spending on average a year less in school, compared to men. Region-wise, female participants from Butiama had higher educational outcomes compared to those in Bukombe (Table 4). Table 4. Socio-economic characteristics of sweet potato producers Characteristic Bukombe Butiama Overall Average age of participants (years) 43 45 44 Male 44 46 45 Female 42 43 43 Education (years) 6 7 6 Male 7 7 7 Female 5 7 6 Area under sweet potato (acres) 3 2 3 Male 3 2 3 Female 3 2 3 Experience SP production (years) 11 6 9 Male 5 7 6 Female 13 6 10 Across the two districts, both male and female sweetpotato producers allocated similar land area to the crop’s production. Participants from Bukombe however allocated an acre of land more to sweetpotato production compared to those from Butiama, perhaps due to the differential sweetpotato commercialization in the two districts. Sweetpotato producers in Bukombe have access to urban markets (traders from Dar-Es-Salaam, Morogoro and Dodoma markets) while those in Butiama rely mostly on local markets for their produce, with some small access to urban markets in Mwanza city. Thus, producers from Bukombe district are more market oriented and more commercialized. 3.1. 2 Sweetpotato consumers The average age of participants for sweetpotato consumer FGDs across the three districts was 38 years (Table 5). Butiama District had the oldest participants with an average age of 43 years, while Nyamagana had the youngest participants, with an average age of 34 years. The average participant across the study districts spent nine years in school, which was similar across men and women participants. 4 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania Table 5. Characteristics of sweetpotato consumers Characteristics Bukombe Butiama Nyamagana Average Average age of participants 38 43 34 38 Male 38 47 30 38 Female 38 40 37 38 Education (years) 9 12 7 9 Male 10 10 8 9 Female 6 13 7 9 Across the districts, women in Bukombe district spent only six years in school compared to 10 years spent by their male counterparts. Conversely, women in Butiama district on average spent three more years in school compared to their male counterparts, with Butiama having more educational outcomes than Bukombe, on average. The study also sought to understand sweetpotato consumption patterns across consumers in the study districts. Overall, 75% of the sweetpotato consumers reported that their sweetpotato consumption had changed in the last five years (see Table 6). Across the gender divide, more women (89%) than men (57%) indicated they had changed their consumption of sweetpotato over the past five years, with a majority of them reporting an increase in the consumption of the sweetpotato. Table 6: Change in sweetpotato consumption Males (%) Females (%) Have you changed your sweetpotato consumption in the last 5 years? Yes (n=38) 75 No (n=13) 25 Change in sweetpotato consumption by gender Yes 56.5% (13) 89.3% (25) No 43.5% (10) 10.7% (3) Across the study sites, women (62%) in the Nyamagana FGD recorded the highest decrease in sweetpotato consumption (see Table 7). The decrease in sweetpotato consumption was mainly attributed to the presence of sweetpotato varieties in the market that did not meet the consumers preferences. This highlights the importance of considering urban market segments in variety selection. One female participant from the Nyamagana district FGD pointed out “there is a type of sweetpotato that is bitter [nikichungu] . . . it is also infested by certain black insects . . .there are other varieties that rot after only two days of storage.” Other participants in the same FGD added that most sweetpotato in the market had a short shelf life, were watery, fibrous and infested by pests. Table 7: Change in sweetpotato consumption over the past five years Females % (n=28) Males_% (n=23) Change Increase 78 31 83 57 25 63 29 39 Decrease 11 62 0 32 25 13 14 17 No change 11 8 17 11 50 25 57 44 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 5 Butiama Nyamagana Bukombe Average Butiama Nyamagana Bukombe Average Results on the frequency of sweetpotato purchases indicate that on average, 23% of female and 19% of male consumers in the three districts purchase sweetpotato on a weekly basis (Table 8), followed by four times a week (8% females and 15% males) and daily (8% females and 11% males). In Bukombe, Butiama and Nyamagana districts, 46% of males, 41% of females, and 29% of females respectively, purchase sweetpotato every week. Table 8: Frequency of purchasing sweetpotato by consumers District Frequency Gender Butiama (%) Nyamagana (%) Bukombe (%) Average (%) Weekly Female 41 29 0 23 Male 0 10 46 19 Biweekly Female 6 33 0 13 Male 0 0 8 3 More than a month Female 6 0 0 2 Male 0 0 0 0 Daily Female 0 0 23 8 Male 18 14 0 11 Four times a week Female 0 0 23 8 Male 29 14 0 15 The purchase of sweetpotato on a weekly basis by consumers could be an indicator of the need for varieties with a long shelf life. It also points to the changing diets among both urban and rural consumers as tastes, preferences and lifestyles change, resulting in an increased demand for sweetpotato products. These results also highlight the importance of sweet potato as a source of food for both male and female consumers in urban and sub-urban areas of the study area. 3.2 Producer sweetpotato variety and trait preferences 3. 2. 1 Key preferred varieties in study area This section reports results obtained from the four-cell assessment process adopted in the methodology. In Bukombe district and among male producers, Ukimwi was found to be grown by many households in large areas in Mji mwema and Silamila-Butinzya villages, both located in Bukombe district (Table 9). On the other hand, the female counterparts across the district had a higher preference for Ukg16, Pisitatu and Ukimwi, which they indicated were grown by many households in large areas in the district. Polista and Rwakoma were found to be grown by many households and in large areas by female participants in Butiama district, while Rwakoma and Rumala were grown by many households in small areas, in the same district by male participants. Men who grew Polista in Butiama district stated that they liked the variety due to its long shelf life, making the variety ideal for transportation to the market. It was however noted that its tubers rotted easily when bruised. On the other hand, all female sweetpotato producers in the district (Butiama) FGD grew the variety in many households and in large areas, and their preference for the variety could be further explained by the traits they found preferable, as shown in Table 10. These traits include good taste, being liked by children and the elderly, among others. Analysis of producer variety preferences show that preferences vary by district and sex. For example, in Butiama district the dominant varieties grown by all (100%) male producers are Rwakoma (Ukerewe), Rumala, and Nyangubu while their female counterparts mainly grew Tunzamurume (Polista) (100%), Kabode (84%) and Rwakoma/Mkombozi (71%). On the other hand, 83% of male producers in Bukombe district mostly grew Mwinga hana siri (Ukimwi) and 75% grew Ukg16 (Umeme) varieties. All female producers (100%) in the same district grew Ukg16 (Umeme), Pisitatu, Ukimwi and Sirari (Table 10). Among these varieties, only Ukg16 was known to the researchers because it was included in the variety catalogue (Mtunda K., et al 2019). It was also noted that some varieties were known by more than one name (these alternative names are indicated in brackets). 6 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania Table 9: Dominant sweetpotato varieties grown by FGD participants District Village Males Females Variety % growing Rank *Abundance Village Variety % growing Rank *Abundance Butiama Matango Rwakoma Buturu- Tunzamurume 100 1 2 (Ukerewe) Maranda 100 1 1 (Polista) Rumala 100 2 2 Kabode 84 2 4 Nyangubu 100 3 4 Mwezi Mmoja 69 3 4 Buturu Matango Berita 71 1 3 Rwakoma 71 1 1 (Ukerewe) Nyangubu 50 2 4 Rumala 67 2 4 Tunzamurume 29 3 1 Simama 67 3 2 (Polista) Bukombe Silamila-Butinzya Ukimwi (Mwinga Silamila- 83 1 2 Butinzya Umeme (Ukg16) 100 1 1 hana siri) Ukimwi (Mwinga Umeme (Ukg16) 75 2 2 80 2 1 hana siri) Kiliona 42 3 2 Kiliona 60 3 2 Mji mwema Ukimwi (Mwinga Mji mwema hana siri) 83 1 1 - Namonge Pisitatu 100 1 1 Pisitatu 33 2 1 Ukimwi (Mwinga 100 2 1 hana siri) Sirari 12 3 3 Sirari 100 3 2 *Key: 1=Many Households, large area, 2=Many households small area, 3=Few households large area, 4=few households small area Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 7 Ukimwi appears to be a variety dominantly grown in Bukombe district by both female and male participants. It was not mentioned as a preferred variety by participants in FGDs in Butiama district. During the FGDs with female participants in Bukombe district, it was reported that Ukimwi (which means HIV/AIDS in Kiswahili) sweetpotato variety was introduced in the district by a project that aimed to improve the income and health of HIV/AIDS patients. Later traders from Dar es Salaam developed a preference for it. This variety is also known as Mwinga hana siri (translated to sweetpotato without a secret) because it is the first variety to flower before other varieties all planted at the same time and under the same conditions. On the other hand, Tunza murume (Polista) appears to be more popular among women than among men in Butiama district. This is because it was grown by all female FGD participants in the district, but only by 29% of the male participants therein. Kabode variety, on the other hand, is an OFSP variety popularized in the area through a school feeding program. During the FGD with female participants in Butiama district, it was reported that Tunza murume was introduced as a new commercial sweetpotato variety in Buturu village. However, the poor infrastructure in the village prevented buyers from purchasing the sweet potato variety, resulting in producers incurring huge loses. This occurrence could have possibly deterred men from growing it for the market, while women grew it for consumption within their households. This finding is similar to Asrat et al. (2010) who found that the ability of a variety to fetch a good price was an incentive for farmers to grow it. The study also sought to understand why some of the varieties were lowly ranked by some FGD participants in different areas. Results show that Polista, Sirari and pisitatu were lowly ranked by male FGD participants in both Butiama and Bukombe districts. Pisitatu and Sirari are new varieties in the study area and it was noted that planting materials for the varieties are scarce. A female participant in Bukombe district stated that “a challenge with Pisitatu is obtaining sweetpotato vines for planting. The vines easily dry up in dry weather…it is difficult to get its vines.” Participants noted that these varieties have the potential to become dominant varieties when planting materials become more accessible. On the other hand, few male participants (29%) grew Polista due to some negative traits mentioned earlier such as its ability to rot easily when bruised and it being prone to sweetpotato weevils (SPW). Female participants in Butiama district did not rank Mwezi moja, Simama and Kiliona varieties highly. Mwezi moja was reported to be susceptible to pests and diseases, while Simama was less preferred due to its khaki color, a trait consumers find unappealing. Kiliona was described as having low yields and drought intolerance. These negative traits resulted in the low acceptance of these varieties. This finding is supported by Okello et al., (2015) who found that acceptability of sweetpotato varieties by producers was dependent on yield ability, disease resistance and storability. 3. 2. 2 Producer preferred traits in key sweetpotato varieties The FGD participants were also asked to indicate the traits they liked the most in the preferred varieties (see Table 10). Results show that both male and female producers in the study areas select varieties based on various characteristics. Unsurprisingly, sweetpotato farmers across all study sites and sex attached substantial weight to traits such as flesh sweetness, high yield, big root size, high dry matter content, long storage shelf life, early maturity, diseases and pest resistance, and drought resistance. Yield and shelf life of roots constitutes an important basis for farmers to cultivate the variety because it ensures food and income security to households (Bela et al., 2018). Visual attributes such as skin and flesh color were found to be important by male and female producers, with varieties with purple skin color and yellow and/or orange flesh color being the most preferred over varieties with white skin and white flesh color. Other important visual attributes in producer variety preference included shape and size of the roots. In addition, organoleptic attributes such as non-fibrous roots, flesh sweetness, and pleasant smell were also mentioned as preferred traits since they increased the Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 8 marketability of a variety. This finding is similar to Asrat et al. (2010) who found that the ability of a variety to fetch a good price was an incentive for farmers’ selection of that variety. Table 10: Preferred traits by sweet potato producers Women Men District Variety Preferred traits Variety Preferred traits Butiama Rwakoma/ i. Purple skin and light-yellow flesh Rwakoma i) Big root size Mkombozi color ii) Long storage shelf life ii. High dry matter content iii) High dry matter content iii. Very sweet iv) Pest resistant iv. Long shelf life v) High root yield of small size v. Has high root yields Tunzamurume i) High root yield Rumala i) High dry matter content (Polista) ii) Sweet flesh ii) Big size roots (few roots) iii) Long storage shelf life iii) Moderate sugar iv) Big root size iv) Has a short growth cycle v) High dry matter content v) Good shape Kabode i) Sweet flesh Nyangubu i) High roots yield ii) High dry matter content ii) Large size roots iii) High root yield iii) Short growth cycle iv) Good shape (round shaped) iv) Moderate sugar v) Good smell when cooked v) High dry matter content Bukombe Umeme i) It is good for michembe and Umeme i) Short growth cycle matobolwa (dried chips) ii) Good for making michembe ii) Early maturing (2 months) iii) High root yield iii) High root yields iv) Big root size iv) Big roots v) Long storage shelf life v) High dry matter content Mwinga hana siri i) Sweet flesh/high sugar content Mwinga i) Short growth cycle (Ukimwi) ii) Good root size hana siri ii) High dry matter content iii) High dry matter content (Ukimwi) iii) Big size root yield iv) High root yield iv) Long shelf life v) Long storage shelf life ix) Good for michembe production (dried sweet potato roots) Pisitatu i) Big root size Kiliona i) High roots yield (small size) ii) Short growth cycle ii) Average sugar content iii) Moderate sugar content iii) Long storage shelf life iv) Liked by children iv) Has short growth cycle v) Long storage shelf life v) High dry matter content *See Appendix 1 for the full list From a gender perspective, results show that women producers preferred organoleptic attributes such as flesh sweetness, and visual attributes such as big root size, high root yield and high dry matter content (Table 10). From a taste perspective, the results were varied, with most men preferring the varieties to have moderate/less sugar. Similar to female producers, male producers also had a preference for growing sweetpotato varieties with organoleptic traits such as flesh sweetness and visual traits such as high root yield, and big root size. It was observed that in addition to these visual traits, male producers also frequently mentioned other preferred traits that increased marketability of the produce such as short growth cycle, good root shape and long shelf life. This was echoed by a male respondent in the Bukombe FGD who stated that “we grow [sweetpotato] for the market, our food requirements for home consumption can be catered for later.” 3. 2. 3 Reasons for producer trait preferences The FGD participants gave various reasons for the preference of key sweetpotato variety traits. One of the most mentioned trait by producers is flesh sweetness. This is an important organoleptic trait that determines the Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 9 consumption of sweetpotato at the household level and its marketability to traders. High root yields with big sized tubers is a desirable trait since it ensures food security and profitability at the household level. Similarly, good root shape is a commercially desirable trait as the shape makes it is easy for traders to pack and fill up a sack. This trait is also desirable to traders who prefer long oblong-shaped roots that are medium in size. Other organoleptic traits like high dry matter content (starch) and non-fibrous roots are desirable to consumers and traders who wish to process sweetpotato into flour and crisps. However, some of the consumers indicated they do not prefer varieties with high dry matter content as this causes heartburn, particularly to people suffering from stomach ulcers. Varieties with a long storage shelf-life enable consumers to produce and/or buy sweetpotato in bulk and store them for a long period of time to mitigate production and market risks. Traders also prefer varieties with this trait since the produce can be transported over long distances and kept for a longer period in the market before getting spoilt. On the other hand, early maturing varieties provide food security because food is available for the household when other crops are not yet ready for harvesting and consumption. These varieties also require less labor inputs as weeding cycles are reduced, and they are also reported to generate higher incomes since they are sold when the demand is high and supply low, hence higher prices. For example, both male and female participants in Bukombe district indicated that sweetpotato prices in the previous season (February-May 2020) were very high at the beginning of the marketing season (February-March) compared to the end of the season (April-May). On their part, drought tolerant varieties are preferred as they are able to withstand recurrent dry seasons occasioned by erratic rainfall patterns, while pest and disease resistant varieties are desirable for areas with high incidences of sweetpotato weevils and viruses. Pests and diseases reduce yields and affect the quality of roots, thereby reducing their market value. Other preferred traits like visual attributes e.g., skin and flesh color, are important market traits with most rural and urban consumers preferring purple skin and yellow/orange fleshed sweetpotato. Traders prefer varieties with such traits as they are easily transported without getting bruised, as opposed to white-skinned varieties. On the other hand, white- skin and -flesh color is good for processing michembe (dried chips) and matobolwa (boiled chips), which come in handy during food scarcity. 3. 2. 4 Producer non-preferred traits in varieties The study also sought to understand the traits that were less desirable among the preferred varieties (see Table 11). The most common unpreferred traits were susceptibility to pests and diseases, drought intolerance, long growth cycle (up to six months), low root yields and lack of a sweet taste (Table 11). The participants were also asked to give recommendations on improving the dominant varieties. The recommendations given included enhancing drought tolerance, increasing sweetpotato yields, and improving flesh sweetness. Enhancing pest and disease resistance was also mentioned as a recommendation. 10 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania Table 11. Unpreferred traits among dominant varieties Variety Name Men Women Recommended traits for Non-preferred traits Non-preferred traits inclusion/improvement Ukimwi i. Not disease resistant i. Susceptible to diseases i) Drought resistance (Mwinga hana ii) Susceptible to drought ii. Not resistant to sweet ii) Resistance to pests and siri) iii) Susceptible to pests potato weevils diseases (SPVD and weevils) iv) Susceptible to diseases iii. Prone to drought iii) Drought tolerance iv) Low root yield iv) High root yield Polista i) Low/Medium dry matter i) Has fibrous roots i) Increase dry matter content content ii) Low root yield ii) increase sweetness ii) Not sweet iii) Low vine yield iii) Improve drought tolerance iii. Short ground storage life iv) Increase root and vine iv. Prone to weather stress yield Ukg16/Umeme i) White skin and flesh color i) White skin and flesh color i) Change skin color to be ii) Low dry matter content ii) Not sweet red/purple and yellow flesh iii) Not sweet iii) Low dry matter content ii) Improve resistance to iv) Not resistant to drought drought and pests v) Not disease resistant iii) Improve dry matter content iv) Increase flesh sweetness Nyangubu i) Susceptible to drought None mentioned i) increase dry matter content ii) Has short shelf life ii) Drought resistance iii) Low dry matter content iv) Increase shelf life iv) Not sweet iv) Reduce root size v. Very big roots Rwakoma i) Small roots i) Long growth cycle i) Reduce growth cycle ii) Long growth cycle ii. It has the trailing habit that ii) improve health benefits iii) Lack of nutritional and health makes it difficult for (Vitamin A) benefits (Vitamin A) intercropping iii) Improve pest and disease iii. Not disease and pest resistance resistant Rumala i) Susceptible to pests i) Not sweet i) Increase dry matter in roots ii) Susceptible to drought ii) Low root yields ii) Improve taste iii) Low root yields v. Long growth cycle iii) Improve yields iv) Improve pest resistance v) Improve resistance to drought Kiliona i) Low root yields i) Long growth cycle i) Improve root and vine yields ii) Low vine yields ii) Low dry matter content ii) Improve pest and disease iv) Susceptible to pests and resistance diseases iii) Reduce growth cycle v) Bad smell (tobacco smoke like) iv) Enhance dry matter content Kabode None None Planting materials not easily available Pisitatu i) Poor root size i) Not resistant to pests and i) Improve resistance to pests ii) Low yield diseases and diseases iii) Not disease resistant ii) Not resistant to drought ii) Improve drought tolerance Participants mentioned that the most common sweetpotato disease was the sweetpotato virus disease (SPVD) while the most common pests were the sweetpotato weevil (SPW), aphids and white flies. Other recommendations included reducing the growth cycle, and enhancing the nutritional and health benefits, especially the B-carotene trait of the sweetpotato. Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 11 3. 2. 5 preferred varieties Results on less preferred sweetpotato varieties in the study area are presented in Table 12. Overall, all the varieties, except Polista in Bukombe district, are grown by a few households in small areas depicting their low dominance. Polista was grown in large areas, by few households. Table 12. Less dominant/preferred varieties grown in the study area District Women Men Less preferred % *Abundance Less preferred % *Abundance varieties growing varieties growing Butiama Simama 5 4 Nyagubu 0 4 Belta 0 4 Nyabulengeti 22 4 Julius 0 4 Viazi lishe 56 4 Nyakwesi gumwi-Mwezi 50 4 Belita 0 4 mmoja Mweri gumwe-Mazao 50 4 Nyangubu 0 4 Simama 0 4 Bukombe Mwezi mmoja 83 4 Porulyabashihani/ 50 4 Juliana Lyga na lukuru 83 4 Mwezi mmoja 40 4 Sugute 75 4 Polista 30 4 Mwananzoza 41 4 Mwanachoma 8 4 Polista 66 3 Polista 0 4 Uso wa Mchina 0 4 *Key: 1=Many Households, large area, 2=Many households small area, 3=Few households large area, 4=few households small area Further disaggregation of the results by gender show that there are slight differences in the type of non-preferred varieties between female and male participants. Over 60% of female producers in Bukombe district, grow less dominant varieties such as Polista (66%), Sugute (75%), Lyaga na lukulu (83%) and Mwezi moja (83%). The differences in variety preference between men and women producers can be attributed to different gender roles in the household. Most of these varieties are mainly grown for home consumption, where the roots are boiled or processed into michembe and matobolwa. Women are more inclined to providing food for the household, thus they may not prefer traits that limit food availability for home consumption. Men on the other hand, are more inclined to produce for the market thus may not prefer varieties with low market demand. 3. 2. 6 Non-preferred traits in the varieties Among the less dominant varieties, participants were asked to indicate traits that made these varieties less preferred. Results in Table 13 indicate key reasons for non-preference for most of these varieties as late maturity (Polista, Lyaga na lukulu, Mazao and Nyagumbu), bad taste (Polista, Juliana, Mazao and OFSP (viazi lishe), and low root and vine yields (Mwezi moja, Lyaga na lukulu, Sugute, Mazao, Simama and Nyangubu). The OFSP varieties were also said to have watery and soft roots with low dry matter content when boiled, in addition to the bad pumpkin-like taste. On the other hand, Juliana was said to have a shortage of planting materials given that its vines do not spread and are more erect, and the tubers are also less marketable. Susceptibility to pests and diseases was also mentioned as a reason for the non-preference for Simama and Sugute varieties, while Nyangubu was said to be susceptible to drought. Lyaga na lukulu, Mazao and Nyangubu were also said to have fibrous roots. 12 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania Table 13. Non-preferred sweetpotato traits for less dominant varieties Gender Less preferred Non-preferred traits Preferred traits Unique traits that varieties make farmers grow it Male Belta i) Small roots size i) High dry matter content ii) Short shelf life ii) Resistance to diseases iii) Low root yield iii) Good taste iv) Short growth cycle v) High root yield Julius i) Low root yield i. Resistance to drought ii. High dry matter content iii. High vine yield iv. Long shelf life v. High sugar content Lyga na lukuru i) Highest dry matter content i) High vine yield i) Long shelf life ii) Late maturity ii) Resistance to pest and ii) Resistance to pests iii) Low root yield diseases and diseases iv) Fibrous iii) Long storage shelf life iii) High vine yield iv) Easy to peel after cooking iv) Easy to peel after cooking Mwananzoza i) Skin easily bruised i) Resistant to SPVD ii) Short shelf life ii) Sweet, iii) Low dry matter content iii) Good for matobolwa and watery iv) Not good for michembe Nyakwesi i) Low dry matter content i) Resistant to SPW gumwi-Mwezi ii) Bad taste ii) Long shelf life mmoja iii. Low yield iii) High dry matter content iv) Low root yield iv) High root yield v) Late maturity v) High vine yield Sugute i) Low roots yield i) Good flesh color i) Good flesh color ii) Low vine yield ii) Big root size ii) Big root size iii) Less demand iv) Susceptible to pest and disease v) Bad smell (tobacco smoke like) Simama i) Susceptible to pests i) Non-fibrous ii) Moderate sugar ii) Short growth cycle iii) Moderate dry matter iii) High root yield content iv) High dry matter content iv) Low yields v) Has big sized roots v) Not resistant to drought Female Mwanachoma i) Fibrous i) High vine yield ii) Low root yield ii) High sugar content iii) Long cooking time iii) High dry matter content iii) Small root size iv) Good flesh color Mwezi mmoja i) Susceptible to pests and i) High vine yield diseases ii) Disease and pest ii) Not sweet resistance iii) Low dry matter content iii) Long shelf life iv) Watery roots iv) Good for making v) Short shelf life michembe Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 13 Gender Less preferred Non-preferred traits Preferred traits Unique traits that varieties make farmers grow it Nyabulengeti i) Watery roots i. Good root size ii) Susceptible to pests ii. Long shelf life iii) Not sweet Nyagubu i) Susceptible to pests i) Has high dry matter content Resistant to pests and ii) Not sweet ii) Medium flesh sweetness diseases iii) Watery when cooked iii) Has short growth cycle Easy to cook iv) Low roots yield iv) Has high root yields Good taste v) Low vine yield v) Long storage shelf life Smooth skin texture Flesh sweetness Polista i) Low dry matter content i) High dry matter content i) Good for michembe ii) Late maturing ii) Flesh sweetness ii) Long storage shelf iii. Not sweet iii) High root yield life iv) Skin has stretch marks iv) Long storage shelf life iii) Resistance to pest v) Good root size and diseases iv) High root yield Viazi lishe i. Soft and watery roots i) Good root size i) Good nutritional ii) Bad taste ii) Liked by children and health benefit iii) Low dry matter content iii) Good for frying and making (Vitamin A) iv) Very big roots snacks ii) Orange flesh color iv) Does not cause heart burn hence good for frying v). High root yield and making snacks iii) Liked by children iv) High root yield Porulyabashihani i) Erect vines i) Good size /Juliana ii. Bad flesh color ii) Early maturity iii) Bad skin color iii) Good flesh sweetness iv) Long shelf life v). Pest resistant Uso wa mchina i) Low root yield i) Early maturity ii) Susceptible to pests and ii) High dry matter content disease iii) Good taste iv) Not fibrous v) Big root size While the non-preferred traits discussed above make these varieties less preferable, these varieties have some unique preferrable traits which ensures their continued production by some segments of producers. Results from Table 13 show that long shelf-life is one of the key preferable trait among these non-dominant varieties with four varieties having this trait (Polista, Mwezi mmoja, Lyaga na lukulu, Juliana and Mazao). Another dominant preferable trait among these varieties is resistance to pests and diseases, with Polista, Mwezi mmoja, Lyaga na lukulu, Juliana, Mazao and Nyangubu possessing this trait. Mwezi mmoja, Lyaga na lukulu and Mazao are also preferred due to high vine yield, while Polista and the OFSP varieties are preferred due to their high root yield. The latter also have better nutritional and health benefits (Vitamin A), hence desirable. Big root size, high sugar content, good taste, flesh color, non-fibrous roots and texture are other traits that are preferrable among these non-dominant varieties. 3.3 Consumer sweetpotato variety and trait preferences 3. 3. 1 Key consumer preferred varieties Similar to producers, results show that consumer preferred varieties also vary by region and gender (see Table 14). Common varieties consumed by both male and female participants in Bukombe district are Polista and Ukimwi, with more men than women preferring Polista at 71% and 38%, respectively, while more women than 14 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania men preferred Ukimwi at 83% and 14%, respectively. In Butiama district, Nyangubu was preferred by both men and women with all the women participants indicating consumption of the variety compared to 63% of the male participants. Similar to Bukombe district, Polista was preferred by both male and female consumers in Nyamagana district with about 77% of the female participants consuming the variety compared to about 38% of the male participants. Polista is the only sweetpotato variety consumed by male and female consumers in rural (Bukombe district) and urban centers of the districts selected for the study. Table 14. Sweetpotato Varieties Preferred by Consumers in the Study Area µ Gender Variety Participants Consuming (%) Male 1.Polista 71 2.Suguti 62 Bukombe 3.Ukimwi 14 Female 1.Ukimwi 83 2.Polista 38 3.Kasinia 38 1.Simama 75 Male 2.Berita 63 3.Nyangubu 63 Butiama 1.Nyangubu 100 Female 2.Kinaje 56 3.Kasinia 33 Male 1.Sirari 63 2.Kilihona 38 Nyamagana 3.Polista 38 Female 1.Polista 77 2.Bukoli 62 3.Rumala 46 Results show some correlation between producer-preferred and consumer-preferred varieties, with mixed results across gender and market segments. For instance, Ukimwi, which was grown by all female producers participating in the FGDs in Bukombe district, is consumed by 83% of female consumers in the same district. Similarly, Nyangubu, which is produced by all male farmers in Butiama district, is consumed by 63% of male farmers in the same district while Berita is produced by 71% of male producers in Butiama district and is consumed by 63% of male consumers in the same district. On the other hand, Polista is produced by all female producers and only 29% of male producers in Butiama District but is consumed by 71% of male consumers in Bukombe district and 77% of female consumers in Nyamagana district. Similarly, Simama, which is grown by 67% of female producers in Butiama district, is consumed by 75% of male consumers in the same district. 3. 3. 2 Consumer preferred traits/characteristics As expected, most of the consumer preferred traits centered on visual and organoleptic characteristics (see Table 16). Visual attributes preferred by both male and female consumers were good root shape and skin color with consumers preferring sweetpotato with medium to large root sizes and purple skin color. On the other hand, organoleptic attributes preferred by both male and female consumers included high dry matter content, non- fibrous roots and sweet taste. From a gender perspective, most male consumers preferred traits such as good root shape and taste, as well as high dry matter content, while most female consumers preferred sweet taste, good root shape, non-fibrous roots, and good skin color. Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 15 Table 16. Preferred sweetpotato traits by consumers District Gender Variety/ Preferred Traits 1.Polista 2. Suguti 3.Ukimwi Male 1.Good color of skin 1.Long shelf life 1.Good skin color 2.Good shape 2.High dry matter content 2.Good shape of the roots 3.Large roots 3.Sweet flesh 3.Big roots 4.High dry matter content 4. Not fibrous 4.High dry matter content 5.Sweet taste 5. Sweet flesh 1. Ukimwi 2. Polista 3. Kasinia Female 1. Good color when fried 1.Good color 1.Good shape Bukombe 2.High dry matter content 2.Good taste 2.High dry matter content 3.Good shape 3.High dry matter content 3.Sweet roots 4.Sweet taste 4.Good appearance 4.Easy to peel 5.Short cooking time 5.Sweet taste 5.Takes short time to cook 1. Simama 2. Berita 3. Nyangubu 1.Good shape 1.Good skin and flesh color 1.Good shape Male 2. Big roots 2.Medium to big-sized roots 2.High dry matter content Butiama 3. High dry matter content 3.High dry matter content 3.Flesh sweetness 4. Sweet taste 4.Medium sugar content 4.Not fibrous 5. Good taste in any recipe 5.Roots are hard when cooked 5.Liked by children Female 1. Nyangubu 2. Kinaje 3. Kasinia 1.Good shape 1. Large roots 1.Good shape of the roots 2.Good smell 2. High dry matter content 2.Good root size 3.High dry matter content 3. Good taste 3.High dry matter content 4.Raw roots taste good 4. Moderate sugar content 4.Good taste 5.Flesh sweetness 5. Dry flesh when cooked 5. Moderate sugar content Nyamagana 1. Sirari 2. Polista 3. Kilihona Male 1.Long storage shelf life 1.Red color of skin 1.Good shape 2.Good shape 2.Good shape 2.High dry matter content 3.Medium dry matter 3.Large roots 3. Sweet flesh when cooked content 4.High dry matter content 4.Easy to peel 4.Medium sweetness when 5.Sweet taste 5.Not fibrous cooked 5.Not fibrous 1. Polista 2.Bukoli 3. Rumala 1.Long shelf life 1.High dry matter content 1.Red/ purple skin color Female 2.High dry matter content 2.Sweet flesh 2.High dry matter content 3.Good taste 3.Orange/yellow flesh color 3.Sweet flesh 4.Sweet flesh when cooked/ fried 4.Soft when cooked 5.Not fibrous 4.Not fibrous 5.Not fibrous Comparison between urban and rural consumer preferences reveal that the preferred visual attribute by both rural and urban consumers was good root shape, while the most preferred organoleptic traits were high dry matter content and sweet flesh/good taste. Additionally, more female consumers in FGDs held in both rural and urban settings were found to prefer sweetpotato with a good taste compared to their male counterparts. Results also indicate that more consumers in the FGDs held in the rural townships preferred sweetpotato varieties with large roots, compared to consumers in FGDs held in urban areas. Lastly, more consumers from FGDs held in the urban areas preferred sweetpotato that were not fibrous and those with a long shelf life compared to their rural counterparts. 3. 3. 3 Consumer least preferred varieties and traits Consumers who participated in the male and female FGDs were requested to list non-preferred sweetpotato varieties. Seventeen sweetpotato varieties were mentioned in the FGDs with none being repeated across the 16 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania three districts (see Table 17). It was observed that a few of the consumers, most of whom were men, did not know the names of some of the sweetpotato varieties. These were identified as ‘unknown variety’ by the FGD facilitators. Results on the least preferred varieties and traits show a convergence in non-preferred traits across location and gender, with the most commonly unpreferred traits being those related to taste (Table 17). These included characteristics such as not being sweet, being tasteless, and having a bad flavor. Other unpreferred traits noted by consumers for the less dominant varieties were less dry matter content and high-water content in the tubers, with highwater water content being reported to cause sweetpotato to become soft when cooked. Some consumers also reported that a few sweetpotato varieties produced latex when peeled, a trait they found undesirable. Table 17: Unique and less preferred traits for less dominant varieties* District Gender Less preferred Unique traits Less preferred traits dominant variety Uyovu Male Unknown variety 1 None i. Less dry matter content Bukombe ii. Not liked by children and adults iii. Bad taste iv. High water content v. Not sweet Unknown variety 2 i. Not fibrous i. Produces latex when peeled ii. Long shelf life ii. Not sweet iii. Less dry matter content iv. High water content v. Small root size Unknown i. Large size of the roots i. Low demand in the market variety 3 ii. Good root shape iii. Moderately sweet iv. Not fibrous Female Karoti i) Has good shape (long) i) Not palatable, not sweet and size (medium) ii) Low dry matter content and watery iii) Watery/very soft when cooked iv) Scarce roots v) Not good for michembe Nyabulengeti i) Has high root yields i) Roots are not sweet when cooked /Blanket ii) Bad flavour iii) Low dry matter content iv) Bad flesh color v) Prone to drought and floods Mwezi mmoja i) Sweet i) Susceptible to pests and diseases ii) Good shape ii) Loses the original color when peeled iii) Short growth cycle iii) Has low sugar content iv) High root yield iv) Low dry matter content v) Good for michembe v) Watery when cooked Mazami Male Mweli gumwe i) Early maturity i) Low dry matter content Butiama (Mazaowezi mmoja) ii) Available in the market ii) Roots are watery iii) Good for michembe iii) Soft roots when cooked iv) Not sweet and poor taste v) Small to medium sized roots Male Mlenga i) Good root size i) Not sweet and poor taste ii) Long shelf life ii) Watery roots very soft when boiled iii) Low dry matter content Male Kinaje i) High dry matter content i) Long growth cycle ii) Medium flesh sweetness ii) Scarce in the market iii) Good shape Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 17 District Gender Less preferred Unique traits Less preferred traits dominant variety Female Mazao (Mweri i) Good shape i) Bad taste/tasteless Gumwli/Lwanguhila iii) Smooth skin texture ii) Low dry matter content ) iii) Good appearance iii) High water content (too soft when boiled) iv) Short shelf life v) Lack of nutritional and health benefits (Vitamin A) Berita i) Large quantity of roots i) It produces latex when peeled ii) Long shelf life ii) Fibrous iii) Big size of roots iii) Causes heartburn iv) High dry matter content v). Flesh sweetness Simama i) Nutritional and health i) Low dry matter content benefits ii) Causes heartburn ii) Good skin texture iii) Short shelf life iii) Not fibrous iv) Has latex iv) Good shape v) High water content v) Large root size Mwanza Male Unknown OFSP i) Big sized roots i) Not palatable, not sweet Nyamagana Varieties ii) Good shape ii) Low dry matter content iii) Good flesh color iii) Watery/very soft when cooked iv) Good for value addition iv) Scarce roots Sukuma/Ukerewe/b i) Always available during i) Small roots ukoli the dry season ii) Fibrous ii) Medium market demand iii) Low dry matter content iv) Tasteless Katebe/Kalebhe/Uzi i) Sweet i) Susceptible to pests and diseases nza ii) High dry matter content ii) Loses the original color when peeled iii) Medium root size iii) Low sugar content iv) Good shape v) Easy to peel Female Sirari/Biskuti i) Available during dry i) Less dry matter content season ii) Has a rotten smell iii) Not liked by children and adults iv) High water content v) Not sweet Unknown variety 4 i) Fibrous ii) Less dry matter content iii) Tasteless *See full list in Appendix II Among these less preferred varieties, consumers also found some to have desirable traits, which contributed to their continued consumption by some consumers. Such traits included long shelf life which was exhibited in Berita, Mlenga and Unknown variety 2, sweetness which was characteristic of Mwezi mmoja, Berita, Katebe and Kinanje, and good root shape which was a trait common with Mwezi Mmoja, Kinanje, Mazao, Katebe, unknown variety 3 and Karoti. Another preferred trait was low-fiber roots, which was common with Unkown variety 2, Unknown variety 3 and Simama. 3.4 Effect of Variety traits that are preferred by different market actors i.e., vine multipliers, root producers, consumers and traders, may have different effects on the household roles played by men and women. This could range from positive effects such as improving the breadwinner’s ability to provide for food and income, to negative ones such as inducing more drudgery for parties mostly involved in production activities. It is therefore critical for these effects to be considered in breeding for certain traits, even though these may be preferable by certain 18 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania sweetpotato value chain actors. In this section, results from the study are presented on women and men’s perceived trait preferences and how they affect gender roles in the household. 3.4.1 Effect of producer preferred traits Results presented in Table 18 show that many of the preferred sweetpotato traits have a similar effect on the roles of both men and women in the households. However, traits involving labor usually affect women more than men, as these have the ability to either increase or decrease the workload associated with the production of sweetpotato, which is primarily a woman-driven crop in terms of production. Table 18. Effect of producer preferred sweetpotato traits on the role of men and women Preferred traits Positive or negative effects on men/women Early maturity Early maturity results in a more food secure household and stable income because harvesting is done when the demand is high. Additionally, labor for weeding is reduced therefore saving the cost of production and reducing labor requirements for women. Pests and diseases Increases root and vine yields and reduces costs of production. This trait has a positive effect resistance on both men and women. High root yield Increases production of sweetpotato roots hence more food secure households and income. High vine yields This increases availability of planting material which gives room for the expansion of the variety in the area hence increasing the volume of production. Creeping habit This increases the availability of planting materials and reduces the need for weeding, thus reducing the labor requirement for weeding by women. Long storage shelf life Saves labor and time used by women to harvest sweetpotato roots for home consumption because they can harvest the tubers once a week. It also leads to increased household incomes due to high market demand for varieties with this trait. Red/purple skin color Varieties with these traits are preferred by traders, hence increase household income. and yellow/orange flesh color Large round shaped Small sized roots are not preferred by most of the traders (only bought by retailers within the roots district), because it takes many roots to fill a sack. This reduces income to producers. Producers prefer round shaped roots because they easily fill up a sack compared to long shaped roots. This reduces the time taken to pack the roots in the sacks for both men and women. On the other hand, some female producers prefer large root size because it allows a big family to use fewer roots per meal. Larger roots are faster to peel, therefore reducing the time required to prepare the sweetpotato by women High dry matter This causes heart burn particularly to people with ulcers. The cost of consuming this variety is content increased because the consumers report the need to eat it with a glass of milk or tea. Feeling unwell may interfere with both women and men’s roles. Good smell and taste These traits make this variety a favorite by children. Parents will spend less time feeding their children. The traits also increase its demand in the market therefore increasing household incomes. Nutritional health Sweetpotatoes with this trait reduce women’s workload in looking for nutritious foods rich in benefits vitamin A for their families. Good for processing Increased workload for women while preparing the dried sweetpotato root chips (michembe), michembe (dried chips) but also increases household food security. The tubers need to be processed immediately and matobolwa (boiled after harvesting because they change color when peeled. To avoid change of color the roots chips) can be processed into matobolwa (roots boiled before being peeled). Value addition of the tubers into juice, porridge and snacks increases women’s workload, but at the same time generates more income to both women and men. Short cooking duration Saves the time spent by women cooking as well as fuel costs White flesh color Good for processing michembe and matobolwa for sale or use during food scarcity. This is good for income for women at household level and for food security. Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 19 Productivity traits like high vine and root yields as well as pest and disease resistance are beneficial to both women and men as they improve food security and bring more incomes. While other traits like early maturity also imply food security to households, they also have labor implications such as reduced weeding cycles, which implies low labor inputs by women who are mostly tasked with this sweetpotato labor activity. On the other hand, varieties with good household processing qualities (for example making of michembe and matobolwa) may imply more labor for women, since these have to be processed immediately after harvesting to avoid color change after peeling. Processed sweetpotato, however have a food security implication since the processed food can be stored for future consumption. Generally, sweetpotatoes are creepers. However, FGD participants reported that some varieties (for example Rumula and Juliana) were not creepers. These varieties had erect leaves. Unlike the creeping varieties, erect varieties allowed producers to intercrop the sweetpotato with other crops. FGD participants however reported that varieties with erect leaves increased women’s labor requirement for weeding. 3. 4. 2 Effect of producer non-preferred traits The effects of non-preferred variety traits on the roles of men and women were stated in general terms by both men and women with no distinct differences in the stated effects between the two groups. These are presented in Table 16. Table 16. Effect of producer non-preferred sweetpotato traits on the role of men and women Traits not Preferred Positive or negative effects on men/women Late maturing/long growth This trait makes it difficult for producers to time the market because sweetpotato fetch cycle a good price at the beginning of the season. This means varieties with this trait do not provide food and income to the household when required. The varieties are ready for harvesting mainly when there is a glut of the produce in the market, leading to low market prices. This reduces household income for both men and women. The trait also increases weeding cycles creating more labor demand for women. Additionally, women being responsible for its production, work alone in the field, causing a security problem to them. Low root yield Reduces food security and income to the households affecting both men and women Prone to drought Leads to low root and vine yields, which results in low income and reduced food security to the household. Irrigation can be done to increase production of roots/vines in lowlands. However, this increases production costs and possibly leads to losses when market prices for the tubers are low. In addition, irrigating the crop presents labor implications for both men and women Susceptible to pests and More vines are needed for gap filling therefore increasing the costs of production. disease Incomes and yields are reduced. Short storage shelf life Varieties with short storage shelf life are not preferred by consumers because their quality deteriorates within a few days. This means its demand in the market is low resulting in less income to the producers. Furthermore, producers are forced to harvest the tubers in small quantities to avoid root deterioration when harvested in large quantities for home consumption, increasing women’s workload. Varieties with short shelf life are usually processed to michembe which also increases women’s workload. Low dry matter content/high These traits are not preferred by both men and women producers because when water content cooked the sweetpotato becomes too soft, watery and tasteless, hence reducing their marketability. This leads to reduced household income. A female participant in Bukombe said that “consumers look for sweetpotato varieties with high dry matter 20 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania Traits not Preferred Positive or negative effects on men/women content, they don’t look for nutritional traits that is why Orange Fleshed Sweetpotato (OFSP) varieties are less preferred. People need to be trained on the importance of nutritional traits which will increase the consumption of OFSP varieties” Low sweetness/tasteless Have low market demand which reduces household income for both men and women roots Low market demand A variety with low market demand fetches low prices leading to less income from sales. This affects both men and women. Fibrous Consumers do not like varieties with fibrous roots. This trait leads to low market demand hence less income from sales. This affects both men and women Latex This trait is observed during peeling of the sweetpotato variety. It makes the peeling process difficult, increasing the workload for women Creeping habit This is mentioned as a desired trait. However, some producers state that this trait makes intercropping sweetpotato with other crops difficult. This reduces the variety of crops grown in an area of land, reducing food security Easily bruised This trait reduces the marketability of the variety because it leads to a reduction of the shelf life of the tubers, hence less incomes from sales. Rots easily This reduces the shelf life of the sweetpotato and reduces yields when rotting occurs in the field. This leads to less income from sales and increases food insecurity. 3. 4. 3 Effect of consumer preferred traits Unlike producer preferred traits, most of the consumer preferred sweetpotato traits were found to affect the roles of both men and women. These results are presented in Table 17. Table 17. Effect of consumer preferred sweetpotato traits on the role of men and women Preferred traits Positive or negative effects on men/women Long storage shelf life This trait enables the variety to be stored for a period of about a week. This reduces the frequency of consumers purchasing varieties with this trait, saving time for both men and women at the household level. Good root shape Varieties with this trait are easy to peel reducing women’s workload while cooking. Large/medium sized roots Tubers with large roots require more labor for peeling increasing women’s workload. Small tubers also take longer to peel. Medium-sized tubers are preferred. Good for processing michembe This trait increases the workload for women while preparing dried sweetpotato and matobolwa root chips (michembe). Processing matobolwa also requires labor to boil and dry the roots. However, varieties with these traits increases food security since the processed food can be stored for future use. Short cooking time Saves women labor used to cook and also saves money for the household as less cooking energy is required. High dry matter content Good source of carbohydrates for members of the household. Multiple use of the Varieties whose roots can be boiled or fried while the leaves can be used as sweetpotato variety vegetables are preferred. This means more work for women while preparing the dishes, but at the same time reduces the woman’s time in providing various food types for her family. Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 21 Preferred traits Positive or negative effects on men/women Short growth cycle/early This trait makes the preferred sweetpotato variety more readily available in the maturity market, important for food security Sweet taste Sweet varieties are liked by children, reducing the time women take to feed them. Sweetpotatoes that are tasty result in increased consumption at household level and better health. Purple skin and yellow or Consumers found sweetpotato varieties with purple shiny skin and yellow or orange flesh color orange colored flesh attractive. These traits increased the sweetpotatoes palatability, hence increasing consumption at household level. 22 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 4. Summary of key findings, conclusions and recommendations 4.1 Summary of key findings This study was conducted with the aim of establishing gender-differentiated preferences for sweetpotato varieties and traits in order to inform gender-responsive breeding strategies. This will help set breeding priorities that expand the potential impact of improved sweetpotato varieties in the study area. A total of 94 producers and 51 consumers from Bukombe, Nyamagana and Butiama districts in Tanzania participated in the focus group discussions. The results from the study show that consumption of sweetpotato in urban and -urban areas has increased over the last five years. This is consistent with Jones et al., (2012) who revealed that although some of the urban households produce their own sweetpotato roots, most purchase the from local markets weetpotato varieties grown by farmers differ according to geographic location, gender and market opportunities. the top three Sweetpotato varieties grown by both male and female FGD participants were Ukimwi and Umeme in Bukombe district, and Rwakoma (Ukerewe) in Butiama district. On the other hand, the common varieties consumed by both male and female participants in Bukombe district were Polista and Ukimwi. Nyangubu and Polista were consumed by both male and female consumers in Butiama and Nyamagana district, respectively. lesh sweetness, high root yield, big root size, skin and flesh color were the major preferred sweetpotato traits by producers, while the most important traits for both male and female consumers were good root shape, skin color, high dry matter content, non-fibrous roots and sweet taste. isaggregation by gender show that women tended to grow more varieties than men, including those with low market demand but good for meeting their family’s food security needs, while men mainly grew varieties with a high market demand. Study participants were also found to have little knowledge on the names of the sweetpotato varieties grown in their respective areas. Majority of the varieties are known by their origin and/or names of the person who brought them. Out of the six varieties preferred in Bukombe district, three of them (Polista, Ukerewe and UKg16) were identified through the sweetpotato varieties catalogue (Mtunda,K et al.,, 2019). Some varieties were known by their local names, while the names of other varieties were unknown to FGD participants. Similarly, out of twelve varieties preferred by sweetpotato consumers in the study area, only six were included in the catalogue. This shows the importance for information sharing between researchers and their stakeholders. -d renti Gi ender However, those trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 23 4.2 Conclusions 24 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania References Asrat, S., M. Yesuff, F. Carlsson, and E. Wale. (2010). Farmers' preferences for crop variety traits: Lessons for on- farm conservation and technology adoption. Ecological Economics 69:2394-2401. Bela, T., O. Olasosebikan., J. Haleegoah., E. Oladejo., T. Madu., (2018). Cassava Trait Preferences of Men and Women Farmers in Nigeria: Implications for Breeding: Economic Botany, 72(3), 2018, pp. 263–277. Jones, D., Mary Kay Gugerty, and C. Leigh Anderson (2012): Sweet Potato Value Chain: Tanzania, Evans School Policy Analysis and Research (EPAR) Brief No. 211. Mtunda, K., Lukonge, E., Laizer, I., Merumba, M.S., Salehe, H., Yongolo, M., Mohammed, S., Kibura, J., Chirimi, B., and Amour, R. (2019). Tanzania Sweetpotato Varieties Catalogue, Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) Tumbi, Box 306 Tabora Tanzania. Okello J.J., Shikuku K.M., Sindi K and J Low (2015): Farmers’ Perceptions of Orange-Fleshed Sweetpotato: Do Common Beliefs about Sweetpotato Production and Consumption Really Matter? Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (ajfand) Vol 15 No. 4, September 2015 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 25 Appendices Appendix I Producer preferred dominant sweet potato traits Females Males District Village Variety Preferred traits Variety Preferred traits Butiama Matango Rwakoma/ i. Has purple skin and light- Rwakoma i) Big root size Mkombozi yellow flesh color ii) Long storage shelf life ii. High dry matter content iii) Flesh sweetness iii. Has high v) High dry matter content demand/marketable vi) Has high demand in the iv. It is drought resistant market v. High sweetness vii) Has better price vi. It is always available in viii) High root yield of small the market for most of size months in the year ix) Resistance to drought vii. It is grown by most x) Vines used as vegetables people in the area xi) Resistance to pests and viii. Long shelf life diseases ix. Has high root yields xii) High vines yield x. Can be eaten raw/ used xiii) Planting material easily for chewing available xiv) Has high latex Butiama Matango Rumula Rumala i) High dry matter content ii. Has high dry matter ii) High demand in the market content iii. Has less sweetness iv) Big size roots (few roots) iv. Not watery v) Good taste v. Good root size (medium vi) Moderate sugar to big) vii) Has a short growth cycle vi. Has long in ground viii) Good shape storability and shelf life ix) High vines yield vii. Its vines are erect x) Availability of planting therefore allows for materials intercropping xi) Moderate latex viii. It is available in the market ix. Good color of skin and flesh Butiama Matango Simama ii. It has high yields Nyangubu i) Easy for cooking iii. Very sweet ii) High roots yield iv. High dry matter content iii) Large size roots v. Has medium to big sized iv) High vines yield roots in good rains v) Planting material easily vi. Leaves are used for available vegetables vi) Has smooth skin vii. It can be eaten raw vii) Has short growth cycles viii. Resistant to SPW viii) Liked by children ix. Has long shelf life up to ix) Moderate sugar 7 days after harvesting x) Resistance to diseases x. Good shape- long roots xi) Soft after cooking lie cassava xi. It is liked by children Butiama Buturu- Tunzamurume i) Has high root yield Berita i. Has high root yields Maranda ii) It is resistant to drought ii. Has medium sweetness and bad soils iii. The size of root is medium iv) Flesh sweetness to big v) Has high demand in the iv. Has high market demand/marketable 26 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania Females Males District Village Variety Preferred traits Variety Preferred traits vi) Resistant to pests and v. Has long shelf life (up to 7 diseases days if not injured and if vii) Has a long storage shelf injured it takes 3 days) life vi. It lasts long in ground viii) Has big root size storage ix) High dry matter content vii. It is disease resistant x) Has better price viii. It is resistant to SPW xi) Has high vine yield ix. It is drought resistant xii) Not fibrous x. It has good shape: long like xiii) Liked by many (children cassava therefore easily and the elderly) packed and transported this xiv) Soft flesh when cooked make it liked by traders xv) Planting materials easily available xvi) Has good smell xvii) Roots have no diseases Butiama Buturu- Mwezi Mmoja i) Has long shaped root Nyangubu ii. Has very high root yield Maranda ii) Has a short growth cycle iii. Has very high dry matter iii) Has a high root yield content iv. It is disease iv) Big size of roots resistant v) Has good taste v. Has big roots vi) Easy to cook (short vi. It is drought resistant duration of cooking) vii. Not mostly attacked by vii) Soft flesh when cooked SPW viii) Not fibrous ix) Has moderate flesh sweetness x) Has a good smell xi) Resistant to drought and poor soils xii) Grown to supplement food needs during dry seasons Butiama Buturu- Kabode i) Has a good smell when Tunzamurume Maranda cooked ii. Has high market demand ii) Has a good taste (egg like iii. Has high root yield taste) iv. Tastes sweet (both when iii) Has better nutritional raw and cooked) and health benefits v. It has short growth cycle (3 (Vitamin A) to 4 months in loam-sand iv) Has flesh sweetness soils but takes longer up to 6 v) High root yield months in red clay soils) vi) Has high vine yield vi. It is drought resistant vii) Good shape (round (planted before drought shaped) season in April/May) viii) Has smooth root vii. Has long shelf life if not texture/skin injured (up to 7 days), but ix) Has high dry matter easily rotten when bruised content (within 3 days) x) Resistant to dry viii. Good root size (medium weather/drought to big) xi) Resistant to pests and ix. It is resistant to diseases diseases xii) Good smell when cooked xiii) Not fibrous xiv) Soft flesh xv) Liked by children Bukombe Silamila- Umeme i. It is good for michembe Umeme i) Value as a food (sweet Butinzya and matobolwa (dried taste) chips) ii) Has a short growth cycle Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 27 Females Males District Village Variety Preferred traits Variety Preferred traits ii. Early maturing (2 iii) Good for making months) michembe (dried sweet iii. High root yields potato roots) iv. High vine yields iv) High root yield v. Has big roots v) High vines yield vi. Seed multiplication done vi) Big root size even on upland vii) Resistance to pests and vii. It is easy to keep vines diseases during the dry season viii) Not fibrous viii. High dry matter at full ix) Liked by children maturity x) Average dry matter content xi) Long storage shelf life xii) Soft flesh after cooking Bukombe Silamila- Mwinga hana ii. Early maturing (from two Mwinga hana i) Easy to peel after cooking Butinzya siri (Ukimwi) months) siri (Ukimwi) ii) High market demand iii. It gives high vine yield iii) Sweet taste iv. High dry matter content iv) Has a short growth cycle even during immaturity v) High dry matter content v. Good flesh vi) Not fibrous sweetness/high sugar vii) Moderate root yield content viii) Big size root yield vi. Good skin and flesh ix) Good for michembe color (flesh is yellowish like production (dried sweet an egg and purple skin) potato roots) vii. It has high demand by many traders/highly marketable viii. Has long shelf life (about a week without changing its original color) after harvest ix. Not easily bruised during transportation x. Good for matobolwa (boiled and dried chips for future use) and michembe (fresh dried chips for future use) xi. Good root size (length and largeness) Bukombe Silamila- Kiliona i. Early maturing (from two Kiliona i) High roots yield (small size) Butinzya months) ii) High demand ii. Very high dry matter iii) Average sugar content content even in tender iv) Not fibrous roots v) Long storage shelf life iv. Very good flesh vi) Has short growth cycle (2 sweetness – 3 months) vi. Good color of the skin vii) Soft after cooking (purple) and flesh (egg yolk viii) High dry matter content like) x) Good shape vii. It has high market xi) No stretch mark on the demand and many traders skin like it xii) Good for making viii. Has long shelf life michembe ix. Not easily bruised during transportation x. Good for matobolwa (boiled and dried chips for future use) and michembe (dried chips for future use) 28 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania Females Males District Village Variety Preferred traits Variety Preferred traits with good taste xi. Has high root yield Bukombe Mji Pisitatu Round shaped roots Ukimwi i. It was described as having mwema - Big root size deep yellow (orange) flesh Namonge Has high demand in the and purple skin market ii. Very sweet Has good price iii. Good color of skin and Has a short growth cycle flesh Moderate sugar content iv. Good shape- long and Not fibrous medium sized roots Moderate dry matter v. Drought resistant content vi. Has good vine and root Long storage shelf life yields Soft flesh after cooking vii. Early maturing Has a good taste and good viii. High dry matter content smell when fully grown Liked by children ix. It has high demand by many traders x. It gives high yields xi. Has long shelf life (about a week without changing its original color) xii. Not easily bruised in transportation xiii. Good taste xiv. Good for matobolwa and michembe Bukombe Mji Ukimwi High demand in the market Pisitatu i. Roots are big and short- the mwema - Has a short growth cycle size preferred by farmers but Namonge Better nutritional and not by traders because few health benefit roots can easily fill a bag are High dry matter content easily harvested Not fibrous iii. Moderate yield Has high root yield but iv. Good flesh color (deep small root size yellow flesh and purple skin) Good taste v. Good skin- shiny Long storage shelf life vi. High dry matter content Moderate sugar content vii. Moderately sweet Soft when cooked viii. High yield (98 Easy to peel after cooking bags(100kg) of grade 1 and 8 Good flesh color bags of small roots harvested Liked by children from 3 acres) Good smell ix. Long shelf life (up to 7 days without changing color) x. Early maturing Bukombe Mji Sirari i. Good for making Sirari i. Described to have purple mwema - michembe (dried sweet skin and yellowish flesh. It Namonge potato roots) looks like piece 3 the ii) High root yield but (small difference is on the shape of size) leaves. iii) Not susceptible to pests ii. Resistant to SPVD and diseases iii. Late maturing iv) Good color after cooking iv. High yielding v) Soft root texture v. High demand Easy to cook (takes a short vi. Good shape time to cook) vii. Good color Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 29 Appendix II Less dominant preferred Gender Less preferred Non-preferred traits Preferred traits Unique traits that varieties make farmers grow it Male Belta i) Low market demand i) High dry matter ii) Lack of planting material contents iii) Small roots size ii) Resistance to diseases iv) Short storage shelf life iii) High sugar i) Has fibrous roots iv) Good taste ii) Low root yield v) Short growth cycle iii) Low vine yield vi) High root yield vii) Easy of cooking (take shorter time) i) High dry matter content ii) High sugar content iii) Flesh sweetness iv) Resistant to pests and diseases v) Resistant to drought and poor soils vi) Has good taste vii) Large root size viii) Short growth cycle Male Julius i) Low roots yield i. Resistance to drought ii. High dry matter content iii. High vine yield iv. Long storage shelf life v. High sugar content vi. Good taste vii. Peace meal harvest Male Lyga na lukuru i) Highest dry matter content i) High vine yield Long storage shelf life ii) Late maturity ii) Resistance to pest and Resistance to pest iii) Low root yield diseases and diseases iv) Less demand iii) Long storage shelf life High vine yield v) Fibrous iv) Easy to peel after Easy to peel after vi) Bad appearance cooking cooking Female Mwanachoma Fibrous High vine yield Very low root yield High sugar content Low market demand High dry matter content Doesn’t cook even boiled for long Good color of the flesh Very small root size Male Mwananzoza i. Skin can be bruised easily i. Described as having ii. Short shelf life – rots during light purple skin and transportation white flesh color iii. Low dry matter content and ii. It is resistant to SPVD, watery iii. It is sweet, iv. Vines/seeds and roots are scarce iv. It is good for all the time matobolwa v. Not good for michembe vi. Low demand Male Nyakwesi gumwi- i. This variety has light purple skin i. Good shape: has long Mwezi mmoja and white flesh roots like cassava ii. Medium to low sugar content ii. Resistant to SPW iii. Low to medium yield iii. Long shelf life (up to 7 iv. Low demand (accepted in local days) markets) iv. High dry matter i. Low/Medium dry matter content content in cooked roots in cooked roots v. Has short growth cycle ii. Has minimal sweetness and poor i. This variety has Khaki 30 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania Gender Less preferred Non-preferred traits Preferred traits Unique traits that varieties make farmers grow it taste skin and white flesh iii. Short in ground storage (it starts ii. Short growth cycle rotting when matured before iii. High root yield i) High harvesting) vine yield (long vine) iv. Prone to weather stress ii) Resistance to pest and v. Low market demand; mostly diseases used for household consumption i) iii) Long storage shelf life Low root yield iv) Good for making ii) Late maturity michembe iii) Fibrous iv) Low dry matter content v) Bad taste Female Mwezi mmoja i. Susceptible to pests and diseases High vine yield (long ii. Loses the original color when vine) peeled Resistance to pest iii. Has less sweetness and poor and diseases taste Long storage shelf life iv. Low dry matter content in Good for making cooked roots michembe v. Roots are watery and very soft when cooked vi. Not marketable vii. Seed conservation requires more water viii. Need high soil fertility for it to produce optimum yields ix. Requires high soil moisture content to keep vines for the following season x. Short in ground storage xi. Short shelf life Female Nyabulengeti i. Has low sugar content i. Good size of roots: Big ii. Roots are watery and very soft and long when cooked ii. Long shelf life iii. Small to medium sized roots iv. Highly infested by SPW v. Bad flesh color (need one color) vi. Has less sweetness and poor taste vii. Not liked by many customers viii. Has low demand to potential markets (mainly sold in local markets) Female Nyangubu i. It is not good for chewing i. Has white skin and Resistant to pests and ii. Vines are highly trailing not good flesh color diseases for intercropping ii. Has high dry matter Easy to cook iii. Prone to drought content Good taste iv. Highly attacked by SPW (vines iii. Medium flesh Smooth skin texture and roots) sweetness Flesh sweetness v. Less sweetness and not tasty iv. Available in the vi. It is watery when cooked and market for most of the very soft time vii. Low demand – sold in local v. Has short growth cycle markets (3 to 4 months) viii. Has short shelf life i) Low roots vi. Has high root yields yield vii. Has big roots ii) Low vine yield viii. Vines are available all iii) Long growth cycle the time iv) Lack better nutritional and i. Has good taste health benefits (Vitamin C) ii. Not fibrous iii. Smooth skin texture Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 31 Gender Less preferred Non-preferred traits Preferred traits Unique traits that varieties make farmers grow it iv. High dry matter content v. Ease of cooking vi. Big size of roots vii. Flesh sweetness viii. Resistant to pests and diseases ix. Resistant to drought and poor soils x. Long storage shelf life xi. High sugar content Female Polista i. It has long growth cycle i. It has purple skin and Good for michembe ii. Roots have low dry matter pale-yellow flesh color. production (dried content ii. Good skin and flesh chips i. Late maturing (>5 months) color Long storage shelf life ii. Scarce planting materials restrict iii. High dry matter Resistance to pest expansion of the area under this content and diseases variety that causes low volumes iv. Good flesh sweetness High root yield and hence few potential buyers v. Marketable iii. Roots are not sweet when vi. Resistant to cooked /Tasteless environmental stress iv. Low dry matter content vii. Long in ground especially when it is not fully grown storage and shelf life i) Late maturity/Long growth cycle viii. High root yield (in ii) Skin has stretch mark number and size) ix. Good for michembe and Matobolwa x. Has high vine yields xi. Not diseased xii. High vine yield: Has good trailing habit therefore easy to keep seeds xiii. Good shape and medium size i. It has purple skin and yellow flesh color. ii. It has high root yields i) Sweet taste ii) Resistance to pest and diseases iii) High root yield iv) Long storage shelf life v) Good for michembe production (dried sweetpotato roots) vi) High dry matter content Female Viazi lishe i. Roots are watery and very soft i. Are different varieties Better nutritional and when boiled therefore cooked in having white or purple health benefit different recipe: need to be skin and orange flesh (Vitamin A) seasoned color Have orange flesh ii. Cooked in little water: it ii. Good size of roots: Big color hence good for becomes very soft when cooked in and long frying and making more water iii. Liked by children snack iii. Bad taste: Tastes like pumpkin iv. Good for frying and Liked by children iv. Has medium sweetness and making snacks High root yield poor taste v. It loosens the bowel v. Low dry matter content in vi. Do not cause heart cooked roots burn vi. The roots are very big can’t be vii. Big roots are good for 32 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania Gender Less preferred Non-preferred traits Preferred traits Unique traits that varieties make farmers grow it bought by traders big families vii. Low demand : liked by few viii. High root yield Male Sugute i) Low roots yield i) Good flesh color Good flesh color- ii) Low vine yield ii) Big root size yellowish iii) Less demand Big root size iv) Susceptible to pest and disease v) Bad smell (tobacco smoke like) Female Porulyabashihani i. Limited supply of planting i. Has purple skin and /Juliana materials since the vines are not deep yellow flesh spreading (are erect) ii. Has good shape (long) ii. Bad flesh (cream) and skin color and size (medium) (pinkish) iii. Early maturity iii. Less marketable iv. Good flesh sweetness v. Long shelf life vi. Good for michembe vii. Resistant to environmental stress viii. Resistant to diseases and weevils Female Uso wa mchina i) Limited availability of i. Early maturity vines/planting materials ii. High dry matter ii) Low root yield content iii) Susceptible to pest and disease iii. Good taste iv. High market demand v. Not fibrous vi. Smooth root texture vii. Good color of the flesh viii. Big root size Male Simama i) Small root size i) High sugar content ii) Susceptible to pests (mostly ii) Non-fibrous during drought) iii) Short growth cycle iii) Short storage shelf life iv) High root yield iv) Low market demand i. It was described as v) Moderate sugar having Khaki skin and vi) Moderate dry matter content light-yellow flesh color i. It has low yields ii. High dry matter ii. Very big roots content iii. It has low demand iii. Has big sized roots iv. No/low sweetness iv. Has good taste v. Short shelf life (2 to 3 days) v. Resistant to drought vi. Bad color: most of them relate vi. Resistant to SPW khaki color with short shelf life i) i) Has big root size Low root yield ii) Has flesh sweetness ii) Has a very short storage shelf life iii) High dry matter iii) The roots are highly susceptible contents to diseases iv) High sugar content iv) Not resistant to drought v) Good taste v) Low vine yield vi) The leaves are used vi) Long growth cycle for vegetables vii) Not fibrous viii) Ease of cooking (take shorter time) Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania 33 34 Gender-differentiated trait preferences for sweetpotato varieties in Tanzania