Book Chapter

Using farmer knowledge for participatory sweet-potato variety selection in Garut, West Java, Indonesia

author(s)

Widyastuti, Caecilia Afra

regions
  • Indonesia
original file download
full citation

Widyastuti, Caecilia Afra; Minantyorini. 2001. Using farmer knowledge for participatory sweet-potato variety selection in Garut, West Java, Indonesia. In: An exchange of experiences from South and South East Asia: Proceedings of the international symposium on Participatory plant breeding and participatory plant genetic resources enhancement, Pokhara, Nepal, 1-5 May 2000. Cali: CGIAR Program for Participatory Research and Gender Analysis: 165-170.

This paper describes trials using sweet-potato germplasm from lrian Jaya, where sweet potatoes are a staple food in the highlands. During the collection of sweet-potato germplasm, farmers' knowledge of those sweet potatoes has also been collected. Fanners' knowledge about sweet potatoes in Irian Jaya will be used as a basis for this project and includes information on yields, the use of sweet potatoes as human food or reed for livestock, and the condition of Ihe environment.

Varieties are selected on the basis of farmers' criteria, including market orientation and table consumption: skin color, flesh color, uniformity, and other criteria. The project is also collecting information on farmers' cultivation practices, such as using high ridges in the rainy season and reducing the leaves during Ihe growing period, as well as how to choose healthy cuttings.