The Only Test That Matters

Sweet Taters!

During some “field visits” (the literal kind where you actually go and stand in farmer’s fields) last week, I was able to observe one of Seeds of Life’s most important research components… the taste test! As the research teams analyze how well a new variety grows in certain soils, and document its productivity levels and pest-resistance, at the end of the day they only really care about one thing: will farmers adopt it? Last Thursday they tested sweet potato varieties in Betano, a southern coastal district. Farmers, students, and staff were brought in to sample different varieties. Included in these varieties were two local types, two recently-introduced types, and about 8 “new” types. They ranged from big to small, from cylindrical to awkwardly-shaped, and orange to white. The orange types were of particular interest to Seeds of Life because of their nutritional value (malnutrition is a major problem here in Timor-Leste). The tasters sampled each variety as many times as they liked, which allowed for the ultimate test: which plate was empty first. Tasters were given a survey for more quantitative results, where they remarked whether they liked the variety, if it was wet/dry, if it crumbled in the mouth, if it was stringy, and if it was sweet or not. Then they had to select if they would plant it, and eventually pick their two favorites and explain why. In some parts of Timor, people greatly prefer white varieties, because of their appearance. In Betano though, taste was the ultimate deciding factor, and one local variety and one new variety emerged as favorites. It was interesting to hear the influencing factors on farmers’ decisions, for instance when one farmer said he loved the yield potential of the variety (around 20T/ha) but disliked the texture and therefore would not plant it. Increasing a crop’s productivity is meaningless if the population refuses to grow it, and it is useful to remember local preference when considering seemingly great nutritional or other agricultural interventions [such as my old friend Moringa with its bitter-tasting (to some!) leaves…]

All development requires teamwork

Can't please 'em all!

Probably the most important tester