Topic Objectives

By working through this topic, participants will be able to:

• Explain that sweetpotato varieties differ in many ways, and provide examples
• List at least 5 characteristics of sweetpotato varieties which farmers view as important
• Summarise why men and women may view the importance of various sweetpotato characteristics differently
• Describe the 7 key stages in an on‐farm participatory variety testing trial, and explain why each stage is important
  
  
• If you have additionally participated in the Training of Trainers (ToT) course, you will also be able to:
• Describe the attributes sweetpotato farmers’ view as important
• Identify sweetpotato varieties using standard descriptors
• Conduct gender‐sensitive consumer taste tests
• Describe key characteristics of at least 3 sweetpotato varieties suitable for your area
• Converse intelligently (listen) with farmers about key characteristics they look for in a sweetpotato variety
• Develop OFSP promotional materials referring to key characteristics of importance to farmers and consumers
  
  
  
• Synopsis Topic 3 highlights the wide diversity of sweetpotato varieties, and discusses key characteristics that sweetpotato farmers, traders, processors and consumers use when they select particular varieties.   Step‐by‐step instructions for conducting an on‐farm participatory variety testing trial are presented.