Determinants Influencing Selection of Potato Varietal Technology and the Role of Gender in Farm Decisions in Bhutan

Potato is a primary food and cash crop in Bhutan. The adoption of new varieties has faced some challenges. To address this situation, farmers’ needs and priorities were investigated through varietal demonstration and a field survey in seven of the main potato-growing districts of Bhutan. The role of gender in farm decisions and operations in relation to potato farming was also assessed. Nine quality determinants significantly (χ(2) = 376.54, P < 0.001) influenced farmers’ selection of potato varieties. These determinants, in order of their relative preference, were as follows: high productivity (15.5% by weight of mean rank), high market value (13.4%), red-skinned (12.7%), marketability (11.6%), large tubers (11.3%), late-blight resistant (11.3%), micronutrient content (8.8%), short-duration (8.3%) and good taste (7.2%). Potato productivity (yield) and preference vote data were significantly correlated (R = 0.395, P < 0.01) for female farmers but not for male farmers. Similarly, the involvement of female farmers in farm decision-making processes was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than when compared with their male counterparts. However, both genders were equally involved in physical farm operations. Bhutanese potato cropping is highly driven by commercially driven (market) preferences such as yield, colour and size as opposed to subsistence preferences such as micronutrient content. Understanding farmers’ priorities during the development of new potato variety is critical for varietal selection for adoption. Furthermore, understanding the role of women in farm decision-making processes is crucial for adoption of new varietal technology in potato production. These findings may serve as an evidence-based insight to guide research and policy interventions in Bhutan and in similar agroecologies.