Ortiz Rios, Rodomiro Octavio
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
Gender and Trait Preferences for Banana Cultivation and Use in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review Understanding trait preferences of different actors in the banana value chain may facilitate the selection and adoption of new cultivars. We systematically reviewed the scholarly and gray literature on banana trait preferences, with specific attention to studies that document gender-differentiated traits. Of 44 publications reviewed, only four reported gender-specific trait preferences, indicating a significant gap in the literature. The review found that banana farmers, irrespective of gender, value similar characteristics that are related to production constraints, income enhancement, consumption, and cultural or ritual uses. Farmers (as producers, processors, and consumers) often prefer traditional cultivars because of their superior consumption attributes, even if new cultivars have better agronomic and host plant resistance characteristics. Potential differences between trait preferences of farmers and other actors in the value chain should be accounted for to enhance marketing potential. Gender-specific research along the banana value chain and engaging users at the initial stages of breeding can ensure that new cultivars are acceptable to users and may improve adoption. Interdisciplinary teamwork is essential for an efficient and effective breeding program.
Keywords
Breeding; end-user; Musaspp; value chain; ethnobotany
Published in
Economic Botany
2020, volume: 74, number: 2, pages: 226-241
SLU Authors
Global goals (SDG)
UKÄ Subject classification
Genetics and Breeding in Agricultural Sciences
Sociology (excluding Social work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)
Horticulture
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-020-09496-y
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/106494